One of the most reliable times for the Fox Sparrows here in the yard in recent
weeks is at the end of the day, when the White-throated Sparrows and Dark-eyed
Juncos have thinned out. Today three were joined by a fourth about 6:20 PM,
and they fed in close proximity to one another until they all left at 6:50 PM,
about the same time as the half dozen or less whitethroats. During this time I
also glimpsed a large bird out the window as it flew through the yard. It
looked too big for a crow and not black enough, and when I went around to the
side door for a look I found a Barred Owl sitting in one of the oak trees in
the middle of the yard, only about 25 feed up. A robin and a few others took
offense, and it stayed for only about five minutes. There is a small ravine
behind the house with a drainage creek at the bottom, which connects through
the residential area to a large area of woods. Screech owls are heard
periodically, and occasionally a Great Horned Owl passing through. But this is
the first time I've encountered this owl.
Gene Sattler
Lynchburg
