November 29, 1984 - Owl on the ProwlPage 12A The Suffolk Times
November 29,1984
Ow/ on the Prowl
By PAUL STOUTENBURGH
A celebration is usually for some -'
thing special: a birthday, a special vic-
tory or an important event. A group of
us witnessed just such a celebration a
few days ago when we released an un-
usual bird in its native habitat here on
the North Fork.
About four weeks ago a great horned
owl was brought to the Quogue Wildlife
Sanctuary because it was playing havoc
with a duck grower's flock. One or two
ducks missing wouldn't be bad, but
every night one missing was just too
much and therefore something had to
be done. Years ago the owl would have
been shot on the spot with little regard
for the action. But today, with a better
educated public and a new surge of con-
cern about our environment, people are
asking, "Isn't there a better way to deal
with the problem ?" And that's perhaps
the most important point of the whole
environmental movement: "Isn't there
a better way ?"
This particular duck grower thought
so and set a trap to catch the renegade
owl so he would not continue his havoc
but would not be killed either. Sure
enough, the next day the owl was
caught in the trap -- but now what to
do? This particular duck grower went
directly to the Quogue Wildlife
Sanctuary, which takes care of disabled
wildlife.
The keeper took in the owl, repaired
its ruffled feathers and then had to face
the same problem as the duck grower:
What do we do now? Their policy has
always been that if a wild animal is
healthy enough to fend for itself, it will
be set free. That would mean it would
probably head right back to one of the
nearby duck farms and continue its
ftcp,m�) ao
G G
evening prowls.
How about moving it a good distance
away? The keeper knew of the North
Fork's interest in the natural world de-
cided to let it go there. After all, a large
body of water separated the North and
South forks, and with a little luck the
owl would stay around its new home.
Celebration Starts
This was where our celebration came
in. My son and a delightful worker from
the sanctuary had set up a release area
and those interested in seeing the event
were hivited to attend. On Nov. 15 at
4:30 p.m., we were all to meet on a sec-
luded marsh on the North Fork that
would offer everyone a good opportunity
to see this handsome bird released in
an ideal habitat for the bird to hunt and
live.
It was just getting dark when we all
arrived in various -sized cars and
trucks. My son Peter led the way with
a cage held high above his head. Like
on some African safari, he led us single
file through the dense undergrowth on
a narrow path to the open marsh.
Imagine seeing 10 of us in a semicir-
cle around a cage that held an owl. The
front door was opened but the huge body
inside would not move. It was safe
where it was. We tapped on the cage
SUNRISE
Coach Lines
INVITES YOU TO
OUR
ANNUAL
SP1EO A<S
NEW YORK CITY
SAT., DEC. 15th
Take in the "Christmas Spectacular"
at Radio City Music Hall and
Rockefeller Center or go shopping
in all the gaily decorated stores...
Il and SO MUCH MORE! _
.. _,�AL4
Leaves Greenport 7:30 AM; Leaves N.Y. 6:30 PM
Round Trip
$15.00 Adults; $10.00 Children (12 and under)
For Reservations
Call 477 - 1200
Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
GREAT HORNED OWL - -To all those small creatures th ,4t move at
night: Beware of this big owl with tufted ears. Hunting on silent wings
for rats, mice and even an occasional rabbit, he is one of the most
eff icient predators.
but he would not budge. Then a few of
us unscrewed the top and stepped back
while one hardy individual slowly lifted
the top off revealing the magnificent
great horned owl.
I remember seeing the flash of his
yellow eyes as he looked about. Just
about that time he saw the trees in the
far distance; that was enough for him.
He sprung into the air and his huge
wings bore him away in a low speedy
flight to freedom.
Not a sound did he make, for this is
one of the virtues of the owl family.
Their wings make no noise thereby let-
ting them approach their prey silently.
We saw him land in an oak tree that
still had some of its leaves, and at that
distance at that time of the night he
disappeared from sight. Binoculars,
though, revealed him sitting there,
king of the night marauders. There is
no other local owl that could challenge
his authority. A rabbit is a simple prey
for this predator along with rats and
mice and almost anything else that
moves.
It was a great sight to see our owl
once more in its natural habitat. Now
we could go back to Gigi's house not far
away and truly celebrate. Hot home-
made soup with bread, cheese, wine and
all sorts of goodies were brought out for
the occasion. We all agreed how fortu-
nate we were to experience this close -up
view of one of nature's mightiest night
hunters.
Few of us ever see this bird because
of its night -time habits, but occasion-
ally we'll hear it. Let's hope that on
some quiet night when you step outside
your house you'll stop and listen to the
sounds of the night. Then way off in the
distance, if you're lucky, you'll hear the
resonant hooting -- hoo, hoo -oo, hoo, hoo
-- of the great horned owl. Who knows,
it might be the very one we released
out on that darkened marsh just a few
days ago.
Everything is
Special at the Soundview t"'
JIRECTEV ON E I SOUND Rests u'allt
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