Various Owl Sightings

by M Jackson, M McCabe, Rosalind B, William C, Neil, Susan B, S Skye, Patti, Kristina W, Stan D,
(Markham, Millgrove, Vaughan, Minesing, Tweed, Mount Hope, Hillsburgh, Grand Bend, Toronto Western Hospital, London, Balsam Lake)

M Jackson from Markham wrote ... While walking through a small woodlot in my neighbourhood this morning, November 17, 2021, I was watching a squirrel adding leaves to its nest. As I scanned the treetops for more nests, I was really surprised to see an owl perched up high. This is the first owl I’ve ever seen in the 32 years I’ve lived here. I’m not positive, but I think it is more likely a barred owl than any other. From a distance, it appeared greyish but a couple of minutes later I saw it flying a bit lower farther along the path. From a closer view, it appeared more brown than grey. I wasn’t close enough to identify feather appearance for stripes or other identifiers. As I was leaving the woodlot, I met a neighbour who asked if I’d seen an owl, so I guess it’s been here a few days. I hope he stays and feasts on the mice and other overpopulated small species running around here. This woodlot is near McCowan and 16th Ave, a mostly residential neighbourhood. Sorry, no pictures.

M McCabe from Millgrove, Ontario, wrote to report ... I was out with Coco the chocolate lab checking on our Christmas lights on our country property about 7:30 when Mr Grey Owl started calling. He/she was above us in a big maple tree with snow falling around us. A magical sight on a magical night. Unfortunately he /she was gone by the time I gather my idea and daughter to come and see the owl. Coco was the least interested...nose to the ground. We are inundated with all sorts of squirrels this year so perhaps the owl will return. A great present.

Rosalind Brown from Vaughan, Ontario, wrote to say ... We just saw an owl in our front yard. We live on a 1/4 acre property, covered in trees. Our gardener noticed it sitting in a coniferous tree, making a sound, he described as crying. It flew to our two storey roof and watched us for about 5 minutes, turning its head, as if on a pivot. Upsetting the blue jays that have been living here all summer.

William Coulter from Minesing, Ontario, wrote to say ... today I heard a noise like a bird hitting our window in the Great Room. I looked outside and saw a small brown Owl sitting on the back of a Muskoka Chair on our deck. He sat there a couple of minutes and shook his head a few times. I got up and went to get my phone to take a picture but as I got back to the window and tried to zoom in on him he flew off before I had a chance to take a pic. He was beautiful and was about the size of a robin.

Neil from Tweed said ... I was a passenger in a car and couldn't talk the driver to back for a better look. And even if we had, I have no camera to take a picture with. It was about the size of a great horned owl and had the same coloring, but had no horns. We have a lot of snow up here right now, so I assume it was out during the day to try to spot prey. I haven't heard it's call, in fact it's the first owl that I've seen since moving here two years ago. I'd love to identify it. I've contacted all of my bird watching friends and we are all at a loss. I'm also concerned that it's wintering here. Most owls leave this area for areas where the prey is not hidden by snow.

One of our readers from Mount Hope said ... I live in rural Hamilton and the last couple weeks I have been hearing long mellow hoots in the trees around my house, When I walk my dog late at night. And tonight I saw some sort of large bird fly over my head in the moonlight but I was not able to get a picture of the face. It looked to be a decently sized bird, any idea what type of owl it could have been. I don’t see them often but they usually come around during fall and winter.

Susan Butyn from Hillsburgh, Ontario said ... I saw seen at 11:30 pm. Sitting quietly on the branch of a tall dead tree outside by bedroom balcony. We back on to forest and live on Sixth Line, Hillsburgh. Couldn’t get a photo before he flew away. I heard it calling earlier in the evening but have never seen one. So exciting!

S Skye wrote ... just out for an evening stroll 11 pm Wednesday June 24 Grand Bend Ontario and heard branches breaking and then looked above flying from one tree to another a massive owl impressive wingspan no sound apart from the power from its wings as it flew above us. Light in colour but unfortunately it happened so quickly I didn’t have time to get it on film.

Patti Toronto Western Hospital ... Hello. I am a patient at Toronto Western Hospital waiting a big spine surgery, and when I woke up this morning there was what appeared to be a owl on the ledge three floors up. All day I've been keeping an eye on it to figure out if it really is an owl. Is it possible to see one here in the city and even more odd is the length of time it's been sitting there. I googled owl at TGW but saw no mention of it. I started to wonder if it was a fake to scare off pigeons and doves but it's in a non issue spot (meaning it's not in someone's window or blocking anything of importance. I must say, it's a rather magical site to behold, especially since I am presently terrified of my upcoming spine operation and it is a lovely sight to see. Can you help me on this. I will try sending you a photo.

Kristina White from London wrote ... This was a few years ago. I found a young owlet and quickly returned to my house to don a pair of welding leather gloves. I picked the owl up carefully while it opened it's HUGE SLEEPY EYES and I moved it into my chicken wire enclosed garden. I brought a cardboard box which I placed next to it to allow protection from the rain. By daylight, it was gone. Either it was rescued by it's mom, or the red tailed hawk ate it. Wish I had photographed the young owl while it was in sight.

Stan Doel from Indian Point, Coboconk, Balsam Lake wrote to say ... I never thought I’d see one, colour of a great horn owl, large head caused us to recognize as owl and very large wing span. Deep in the woods at Indian Point, Coboconk, Ontario on June 17th. Swooped in front of us very low and glides off to the side.
Happened too fast to take a picture but we have also heard the owls at night when windows opened at cottage on Indian point.

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