[Birdtalk] Short-eared Owl Extravaganza

[Steve Carr]

To all,

This is the second report I've heard about Short-eared Owls in the West.  A somewhat birding friend told me just last Saturday, that as he was going out to see the Spiral Jetty, he and his companion encountered a great many owls, he estimated over 100 (probably a little high).  There may have been a Barn Owl or two mixed in.

The road to the Spiral Jetty heads SW from the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Box Elder County.  After crossing over several cattle guards, the road to the jetty, itself, is pretty bad, but one would only need to go a few miles from the Spike center to see all the owls he/she would want in a day.

--Steve Carr



The following is from Kris Purdy's posting about Curlew Valley and the road to Kelton:
  To reach this area, take I-84 to exit 5, Snowville. Turn west on SR-30 and drive approximately 15 miles to Curlew Junction. You may start seeing owls along this stretch; I didn't begin to see them until I reached Curlew Junction. Bear southwest on SR-30 at Curlew Junction when SR-42 continues west and watch for owls on fenceposts on the south side of the road. About 10 miles west you'll see the brown sign to Kelton, a left (south) turn. The road to Kelton is a dirt surface and open range; you should see more owls along this stretch. I didn't see any carcasses on the road to Kelton, but I did see adults landing on the road and juveniles out on the range. This stretch is 6-8 miles long. You could also continue south past Kelton, bear left when the road splits and then follow the signs toward the Old Railroad Grade for more birdwatching.
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