Athene cunicularia

#26 - BlipBigYear 2014

It looks like third time's the charm, if you happen to be looking for that overwintering Burrowing Owl at Clam Beach. J and I headed up north today to snag some rarities and other fine feathered fauna; highlights included the Northern Shrike, a couple Thayer's and Herring Gulls, this beauty of course, and two Short-Eared Owls in the evening time. Who could ask for more?!

Burrowing Owls do typically breed in small numbers in our region, with fewer actually spending the winter. This particular bird is known to inhabit this location in winter, yet my two previous scouting missions had been unsuccessful. Today he was perched quietly under a shrub, gazing towards where the sun was setting over the ocean. He gave us some hard looks when we started snapping pictures, but then returned calmly to watching the sunset as we departed. This is only my second time seeing this species, and in a most magical way.