Long-eared Owl
Quite a few birders keep a mental nemesis list - bird species that have been sought after but never located. The Long-eared Owl has been one of these nemesis species for me. This is a much sought after species and really tough to find. I have tried many times in Higland County, Virginia without success, and missed four of them in Swoope, Virginia last year by one day, and missed another one last February in Winchester, Virginia by two days.
I got an email this past weekend from another birder who knew that I was looking for this species, and told me that there was a Long-eared Owl once again in the Winchester, Virginia area, but asked that I keep the location non-specific so that birders don't arrive in large numbers to see and disturb it. I want to thank this birder, and his wife, for letting me know about the owl, but will not disclose their identities to help protect the location.
Walt Childs and I made the 2-1/2 hour drive each way, and now I can remove Long-eared Owl from my nemesis list and add it to my life list as #638! When I arrived at this owl's day roost, it took a quick look at me, and then decided to close its eyes and go back to sleep. As the gentle wind blew through the trees, the long ears of this owl swayed back and forth in the breeze.
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl