Barn Owl – Combat!

 Barn Owl, Birds  No Responses »
Mar 292012
 
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Theresa Allen observed a Barn Owl pursued by an American Crow as the two bird flew through her yard on Saturday, March 24, 2012. The Barn Owl was being attacked by the American Crow which was engaged in the typical crow behavior of mobbing and driving off birds of prey. The pair flew in low over Theresa’s yard (within just a few feet/meters of Theresa) as the frantic owl desperately tried to evade the marauding crow. On one occasion, the crow impacted the Barn Owl causing the owl to lose feathers. Theresa was later able to recover and photograph these feathers.

NOTE: This interesting observation was originally reported as a Snowy Owl sighting and as such it generated a great deal of excitement. Snowy Owls usually reside in the far north of Canada and Alaska, but for some reason in the late winter of 2012 a number of Snowy Owls moved south into the lower 48 states. This was a remarkable and rare occurrence. There have been at least two confirmed Snowy Owl sightings in the Dallas area. One near Lake Ray Hubbard and another in downtown Dallas. There had been a third, but unconfirmed, Snowy Owl sighting in Forth Worth in the same general area as this Barn Owl sighting. Hopes were high.

Its not hard to imagine mistaking the lightly colored Barn Owl for a Snowy Owl, especially if all you get is a fleeting glimpse. As it turned out the collected feathers made it clear beyond a doubt that it was a Barn Owl that was seen in this case.

 
County - Tarrant
City - Fort Worth
Date - Mar 24, 2012
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Residential-Single Family
Type of Behavior - Fleeing
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Theresa Allen
Main Article - Barn Owl Observation Location

Coyote – Hurriedly Passing Through

 Coyote, Mammals  No Responses »
Dec 202011
 
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We observed this Coyote on a drizzly morning in Carrollton, Texas.

Overcast and rainy weather seems to give Coyotes a little more confidence about moving around during daylight hours. Perhaps they feel like the poor light and resulting lower visibility gives them more cover.

In any case, this Coyote was moving quickly but cautiously. He obviously felt exposed and uncomfortable. And, once he realized he had attracted our attention, he moved along that much more quickly. Coyotes are very wary of people under normal circumstances.

This observation also serves to illustrates one of the ways wildlife can move through urban areas. Parks, greenbelts, and other undeveloped areas often serve as wildlife corridors which allow animals, such as this Coyote, the ability to move in and out of urban areas with confidence—especially at night when there are few people around.

County - Denton
City - Carrollton
Date - Dec 23, 2009
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Cold (less than 50°F/10°C)
Weather - Drizzle
Habitat - Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior - Fleeing, Roaming
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Coyote Observation Location

Red-tailed Hawk – Grackle Attack

 Birds, Red-tailed Hawk  No Responses »
Dec 152011
 
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On this day, I watched a pair of Red-tailed Hawks at a local high school. The two birds seemed to be enjoying the updraft created by a strong southerly wind blowing against the south wall of the 2 story building. The hawks would take turns hovering just off the edge of the building. Minimal wing flapping was necessary for the birds to maintain their altitude, which was never more than 15-25 feet (4.6-7.6 meters) above the roof of the school. When the hawks tired or bored they would land on the edge of the school’s roof for a rest. The behavior looked very much like play.

After a few moments, the hawks attracted the attention of several male Great-tailed Grackles that were probably protecting nests in the oak trees in front of the school. The grackles flew up to the hawks, and when they were positioned properly, they would strike the hawks bodily, sometimes several time in a row. I witnessed at least 5 grackles participate in the melee, and saw at least 3 different grackles actually strike a hawk. Before long the grackles had succeeded in driving the Red-tailed Hawks away.

 
County - Denton
City - Carrollton
Date - May 7, 2005
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Windy
Habitat - Community-Church/School/Civic
Type of Behavior - Fleeing, Playing
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Red-tailed Hawk Observation Location

Red-tailed Hawk – Mobbed by Crows

 Birds, Red-tailed Hawk  No Responses »
Dec 092011
 
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When I stepped outside this afternoon, the first thing I noticed was what sounded like a group of crows calling to each other in the distance. As I listened the cawing became louder, and I could tell that the crows were coming my direction. I started watching my neighbor’s rooftops, expecting the birds to come from a nearby greenbelt, but even though the sound of the birds continued to grow louder the crows never appeared. Finally, it occurred to me to look straight up. There, high above me, were two crows harassing a lone Red-tailed Hawk.

 
County - Denton
City - Carrollton
Date - May 5, 2005
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Overcast
Habitat - Residential-Single Family
Type of Behavior - Fleeing
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Red-tailed Hawk Observation Location

Great Blue Heron – At Stewart Creek Park

 Birds, Great Blue Heron  No Responses »
Sep 222011
 
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I spotted this Great Blue Heron early one morning in a Lake Lewisville park near The Colony. We were attending a kid’s 1/2 mile fun run, and the large gathering of spectators seemed to be making this heron nervous.

 
County - Denton
City - The Colony
Date - May 6, 2006
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
Weather - Overcast
Habitat - Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior - Surveying, Fleeing
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Great Blue Heron Observation Location

Beaver – Verification

 Beaver, Mammals  No Responses »
Sep 042011
 
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This is a follow up to several earlier observations of Beaver activity in a Carrollton suburban park.

I was driving past the park late one afternoon, just after a heavy downpour, when I spotted a dark figure on the bank of the rain swollen creek. At first, it was not obvious if this dark object was anything more than just a piece of debris washed up on shore. I parked on the street roughly 50yd/46m away, and watched to see if it would move or give any other sign of being the animal I hoped it was. Within just a moment, I witnessed the creature shift its position in a way that was unmistakable, and I quickly snapped a photograph.

At this point, I was very hopeful that I had finally been able to photograph our neighborhood Beaver, but from this distance I could not eliminate the possibility that this animal might be a Nutria. Also, there was still a light raining falling, and a heavy overcast. Clearly, the lighting was less than optimal… I decided to try and get closer for the next shot.

I was able to get much closer to the animal than I first expected to, and I took a number of photos along the way, hoping to get at least a few good shots before he fled. As I approached to around 15ft/5m of the animal I noticed hat it appeared to busy gnawing on something. Preoccupied with this activity the Beaver did not give me much, if any, notice. Unfortunately, from where I stood, I still could not make a conclusive identification. The animal’s tail was hidden by the grass and water, and I couldn’t be sure if I was seeing the broad, flat tail of a Beaver, or the round scaly tail of a Nutria. I would have to make an effort to get even closer.

Next I moved to within 8ft/2.4m of the Beaver’s location. At this time I believed the Beaver had become aware of my presence, even though he still seemed unconcerned. But, it turns out that the Beaver’s preoccupation with the piece of wood he was eating, combined with the wet grass and the falling rain had effectively masked the sound of my approach, and he actually had no idea I was there.

After taking a picture from this close distance, I could tell by the LCD preview that the focus was not good, and I voiced my disappointment audibly. Although my complain was whispered, it was still loud enough to startle the Beaver, and make him aware of my proximity. He immediately turned and fled into the creek.


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