Short-eared Owl at the Mesilla State Park

Short-eared Owl at the Mesilla State Park New Mexico USA

Pursued by hundreds of Crows



2016                                                                                                                    © Richard Anderton

 January 2016, the State Park hosts thousands of American Crows




2016                                                                                                                               © Richard Anderton





2016                                                                                                                                             © Richard Anderton

In determined pursuit

2016                                                                                                © Richard Anderton

 

An individual American Crow makes aerial contact with the Short-eared Owl







2016                                                                                                                      © Richard Anderton

Red-tailed Hawk also mobbed by Corvids 

Short-eared Owl at the Mesilla State Park New Mexico USA

In the southwest of the USA the Short-eared Owl is a rare winter guest. For birders, a charismatic and distinguished visitor, the type of creature that we never get tired of watching. Nature lovers and ornithologists alike are fascinated by a diurnal owl. Not to mention the pure ascetic beauty of it and command of the air in flight. An owl that permits us to observe and appreciate it during daylight hours - a fact that only adds to its great appeal providing an unique photographic opportunity. 

It was very pleasing to observe a Short-eared Owl in New Mexico in the USA. Recalling happy days in Scotland UK, where during the very long summer days Short-eared Owls could be seen coursing low over the heather, capable of a quick change of direction in pursuit of its prey. A very elegant wavering flight, very pleasant to observe. Does the owl’s scientific name flammeus really mean fiery referring to its plumage as is the generally accepted theory? Or was it due to its appearance of the bird close to grass fires where small rodents are escaping the flames? – just speculation on my part.  

At the Mesilla State Park, we have been honoured by the presence of one individual this week. There has also been a large influx of American Crow this winter, numbering  in the thousands. Therefore, some mobbing of raptors is inevitable. I have witnessed crows giving aerial pursuit to Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier and Short-eared Owl.        

Short-eared Owl and their movements are closely linked to its prey the vole. When vole populations explode the owls will stay. In its northern breeding grounds the bird will nest where the numbers of rodents are high. This correlation is true for many predators, but none more so than in the population dynamic of the Short-eared Owl. Out of the breeding season the owl is highly nomadic.

Crows are of course very successful animals possessing a high degree of intelligence. Raptors are predators, and are a threat to the Crows and, in particular in the breeding season, have a negative affect on the Crows' reproductive success.