I went down to the Old Dominion University Sailing Center off Powhatan Ave.
just north of Lambert's Point Golf Course this evening to check the Elizabeth
River, etc. Started off kind of slow, but had an Am. Redstart, Common
Yellowthroat, and a Palm Warbler in the shrubs and a few Forster's Terns, Royal
Terns, and Brown Pelicans diving just offshore. An adult Yellow-crowned
Night-heron was working the shoreline slowly, and then around 7:30 pm I watched
as 6 imm. YC Night-herons flew directly west over the river and towards the
vicinity of Craney Island, a few called.
Shortly afterwards a large owl flew from the tidal ditch separating the
campus property from the Golf Course and followed the river shoreline west
before veering south where it proceeded to forage over some patches of tall
grass on the Golf Course property. I was able to watch the owl off and on in
receding light until around 7:45 pm when it disappeared behind a ridge. The
deep, strong wingbeats, erratic flight, and frequent hovering low over the
grasses got me excited, and I was able to note a pale underside with streaking
isolated on the upper breast and darker brown upperside with a distinctly
barred tail seen very well during one hovering episode. My first Short-eared
Owl! Perhaps it will be a good winter for owls?
Anyway, I believe there is public parking in front of the Golf Course, near
the W. end of 43rd St. The Golf Course is off limits for birding as far as I
know, but its a short walk to the Sailing Center past the Powhatan Apartments
and Whitehurst Dorm parking lot. Let me know if anyone wants further details,
I doubt the owl will tolerate the golf course traffic during the day but maybe
its roosting in the shrubs along the edge and will stick around. I'm hoping,
all the best,
Nick Flanders.
Newport News.
