As I was getting ready to head out from V8, I just had two fantastic finds!!
An EASTERN SCREECH OWL is located in a dead stump just west of the
headquarters house. As I finished photographing that and walking to my car
I glimpsed a large, dark raptor with bold white barring on the tail quickly
settle down into the large cottonwoods along the stream to the south. I
went to investigate and immediately flushed a ZONE-TAILED HAWK from the
cottonwoods. I had very brief but close views as it flew by and then above
the treetops where I lost it. Sadly, no chance for photos of this bird
before it was goneðŸ˜
I believe there is still access for a few more hours for the City Nature
Challenge if others hope to search. Either way, this seems promising that
this may be the same bird originally located by Brad Shine. Perhaps it will
be sticking around, possibly roosting at V8, very near the road.
Happy Birding,
Tucker Dangremond