[mou] Great Gray Owls on the move

[psvingen@d.umn.edu]

Jim Lind just called (6:00 PM, Monday) to report a significant movement of Great 
Grays down the North Shore beginning late this afternoon. No fewer than 12 were in 
Two Harbors at 3:30 PM and all have already moved farther down the shore. One that 
was banded near Schroeder last week was recently picked up dead near Two Harbors. 
The high numbers (two to three dozen or more) found along the state highway 61 
expressway during the past few weeks have apparently moved elsewhere too. As Jim 
and I spoke on the phone, he was standing at the Two Harbors lighthouse and 
watched three birds fly overhead and cross Agate Bay! He also found one perched in 
his neighbor's spruce tree this afternoon.
Presumably this movement is related to abundance and accessability of prey 
following the ice storm over the weekend, and the 10 inches of new snow along the 
North Shore. However, it shows how little we know about this fascinating species. 
Results of this coming weekend's owl surveys may be especially interesting in 
light of this significant movement tonight and observations posted previously that 
fewer great grays were seen in the Sax-Zim area over the past several days.
That's all for now--I am grabbing a flashlight and going outside!
Peder
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Peder H. Svingen 0 psvingen@d.umn.edu - Duluth, MN