[mou] Snowy Owl, G. Eagle, SEOwls at Rothsay/Albinistic Pheasant? (Long)

[JELLISBIRD@aol.com]

    After blanking out (again) in my search for Northern Owls in Douglas 
County I got bored and decided to poke around. On the way North to look for Herb 
Dingman's Black- Backed Woodpecker (missed it) I saw what appeared to be an 
Albino Ring-Necked Pheasant in a marshy spot by the shoulder of the N/S road 3 
miles E of Parker's Prairie (between OT County 46 and OT County 42). Its tail 
was stubby and it had faint brown streaking on its sides and breast. It also had 
a reddish patch around its eyes. It was clearly pheasant size and there was a 
cock further N in the same wetland.
    The Snowy Owl was first (4:00) on a telephone pole South of a little east 
from the large Hay shed near the lek where Wilkin 176 ends (or turns south). 
It flew from there to the top of a tree further south. Later (5:30) I 
relocated it at the top of a tree in the farmstead nestled in the same L intersection, 
visible from the NS road. The Eagle was seen from the same L intersection 
first flying and then stationary on a large stump. There were two (possibly 
three) Short Eared Owls hunting. I also saw groups of 2, 4, 12, 13, 15, and about 
35 Prairie Chickens. They seemed skittish, flushed from a long distance. I saw 
no Goldeneye or Trumpeters at Fergus. Small streams are running. 

    John Ellis (St. Paul)