Raising Maine

“If you have not made the trek to see the Northern Hawk Owl, do it! We saw it this morning about 10am, teed up on the tall spruce in front of the yellow house. What a glamorous animal - it let us stand and admire it from every angle, in perfect light…This is a champagne-worthy lifer if ever there was one!”
—posted by a fellow birder to the Maine Birds listserve January 17

WARNING!
This is Hawk Owl Fever. Over the past few weeks, it has infected bird enthusiasts, young and old, from across Maine and beyond. You could be next.

CAUSE
A Northern Hawk Owl, a rare bird from the Canadian boreal forest, has been confirmed in Bristol, Maine, presumably to hunt for voles and other small rodents due to a food shortage in its native habitat. Finding a hawk owl in Maine always causes an outbreak, but especially so if the bird has staked out a locale that is close or relatively close to a population center and is accessible (easy to relocate and watch on public property).

WHO IS AT RISK
KIDS! Kids love birds, especially owls. Since, unlike most owls, hawk owls are diurnal (active during the day), this bird will be especially delightful to children. As you can see in this video, Boy Bird and a buddy have caught the fever, bad:



Also at risk: Parents of children who want to foster learning, curiosity, and appreciation for the natural world, and who want to provide real-life lessons in biology, geography, and sociology (chances are good you’ll be in the presence of other birders, some of whom may be celebrating the addition of Northern Hawk Owl to their life list - the list, with time, date, location, and notes – of birds they’ve seen so far in their life.) Also: Birders of all skill and experience levels. Outdoor enthusiasts. Anyone who thinks owls are cool.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms range from mild curiosity to immediate obsession to see the bird. Inability to concentrate at the office. Joy tinged with jealousy as others post to the Maine Birds listserve their awesome looks at the bird. Excuses for why going to see the bird is more important than household chores. Finding yourself piling the family, buddies and all, into the car then finding yourself peering through a telescope at breathtaking looks at this fascinating and mysterious creature – that often times is peering right back at you (parents of small children need not fear: there have been no documented records of this crow-sized bird flying away with human young).

HOW HAWK OWL FEVER SPREADS
Afflicted persons catch it by reading a report on the Maine Birds listserve. Infection may be spread by a phone call from a fellow birder who is deliberately attempting to expose you to it…perhaps so s/he can bum a ride to see the bird. Exposure to the fever can also take place through websites, online checklists, and…blog posts.

IF YOU GO
In Damariscotta, take Route 130 in Bristol. Look for the Bristol Consolidated School, go another .4 ore miles, then start scanning the treetops for a crow-sized bird with a long, tapered tail; short, pointed wings; white face with black border – oh, heck, just see my photo posted with this blog. Because the bird is “tame,” it may be tempting to approach closely. Please respect the bird and consider that hundreds of people have already trekked to see it, so it may be weary. Since it’s likely here because it is food-stressed, please keep at a distance that allows it to hunt. Also, although the bird can best be viewed from the road shoulder, please be respectful of the property owners in the area. Bring a pair of binoculars, a telescope if you have one, and your kids! But keep an eye on them. Although the road shoulder is wide, it is a roadside nonetheless.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NORTHERN HAWK OWLS:
Boreal Bird Guide (Boreal Songbird Initiative)
Boreal Bird Guide-Northern Hawk Owl

Papa Bird's blog in reference to the Northern Hawk Owl:
http://www.borealbirds.org/blog/

All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)
All About Birds-Northern Hawk Owl