Trip/Event Location: Ancram, NYUS
Trip Leader(s):
Max # People: 20
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: Yes, but only to cover shared expenses, and I too am paying
Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
An Owl expert from the Sharon, CT Audubon Society will lead an easy, mostly downhill one to two mile hike on a dirt track through a forest with electronic Owl calls used to attract
I am planning to start at my home. Directions, rendezvous details and my telephone number will be distributed to all participants. The hike will begin from Ancram, NY 12502
The group met at my house on time at 6:30PM and introduced ourselves to the representative of the Sharon CT Audubon Society, Sarah and her husband Sean. They had brought along four species of Owls - an Eastern Screech Owl, a Saw-whet Owl, a Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl. These were birds who were raised at the Sharon CT Audubon Center and visit schools and other groups. Beautiful. After about half an hour listening to Sarah talk about the Owls, showing pellets, skulls and feathers we took a few photos and set off on our walk into the hardwood forest. About five minutes after we started walking, Sean turned on his digitized device and called ...... a Barred Owl called back and then there were three in the canopy above our heads. These big birds of prey appeared to be as curious about us was we were about them. As Sean called, they flew about always lighting and watching. As we walked we continued calling other species of Owls. None called back or dropped in to visit. A young Barred Owl called to us with his immature voice. We were all fascinated. Sarah used an APP to identify various songbirds in the forest and show us their photos. Birds love to sing as daylight fades. We continued walking and calling but no more Owls. Sarah, Sean and our GO members were all pleased. We hiked out of the forest into a small mowed pasture bordered by Oak trees and called again. No more responses. A small Brown Bat flew overhead silhouetted against the darkening sky. I was happy to see a bat after an absence of about three years . I hope they are making a comeback. The walk was very enjoyable and a good time was had by all. I would like to do this again in January when the Eastern Screech Owls are looking for mates and nesting sites. A very good time was had by all. I will be posting some photos later.
- The Trip Has No Photos -