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February 08, 1979 - Rare VisitorPage 6 RARE VISITOR fodus on nature by Paul Stoutenburgh Just as we have important and high ranking dignitaries visiting our country 'on occasions. so the natural world also has its important visitors. And. just as everyone cbmes out to see these dignitaries. so those interested in the natural world flock out to see their special visitor. So it was when the Great Gray Owl from the Far North visited Long Island recently. This diurnal hunter is rarely seen even in lower Canada no less down in our part of the country. Therefore when it appeared it set off a world of enthusiasm. It would be hard to find a larger and more handsome owl. Even in its native haunts. it is rarely seen. for few people venture into the hostile rugged forest of the great north country. Only when the food supply in their native area gets scarce do these nomads head south. Sightings on Long island are almost non -- existent. The one authentic recogsk Den,_ from our own Roy Latham of Orient way back in December of 1902. This single documented record is an indicator of the greatness of this man's life work in the natural world. Since his early teens this rare individual has _kept records that stand as _ bench marks today for all. I humbly bow to the greatness of this superior observer. The Great Gray Owl is a forest bird and the newly acquired State Park at Caumsett has provided an ideal hunting ground for him. Oblivious to man he hunts, sleeps and preens himself as if he were a thousand miles away in his own native habitat. .Anywhere from 10 to 50 people can be seen daily sitting. standing. and staring at this most magnificent bird. I have never seen such a multitude of optics. everything from the instamatic to huge lenses and expensive cameras. No Fears of Humans Day after day the pilgrimage continues, cars from New Jersey, Delaware, Penn- sylvania. and as far away as Virginia have come to see this rarity. The beauty of it all is that you can walk right up to this bird to photograph it. It neither knows nor fears man. Often the newcomers were at a loss to find the bird because it blends so well with the drab, stark gray nakedness of the winter woods. An occasional turning of the head would be the only sign of movement as it scanned the tinders tory for some sign of life below. What shrew or mouse or rabbit would make that inevitable mistake? that careless exposure? that fraction of a second /of dropping its guard ? - -only to be snatched up by this powerful bird. In the long run, it is the shrew, mouse or rabbit that does not make this mistake that survives. And therefore, in the miracle of genes passes on that ability- for survival. It's used to hunting during the daylight hours. for where this giant comes from for part of the yea: the days are long and the nights are but a moment. Its ability to take advantage of either day or night hunting has ct7me from years of evolution. Once when it changed location, my wife Barbara, happened to be in line w:th its flight. From her sitting position in the field she ducked to getout of its way, noticing as she did how huge this owl was, how im- pressive its flight ar d most of all the bright yellow of its eyes as it passed directly over her head. What I noticed from where I stood was the ease of flight almost feather -like. Owls are designed so that they have a special downy feather, one that will not make a sound while_flying. This quietness in -- flight, coupled with its superior eyesight and hearing, makes these birds deadly hunters. I've seen many owls but none has had the long, loose, fluffy feathers this bird seemed to have. It was almost shaggy compared to the sleek look of our owls. I compare this to the fluff of a down jacket; to make its in- sulating qualities work it has to be loose and fluffy, not smooth and matted. When it's 16 degrees it's cold here, but in the frigid north that probably would be considered .a warm day, and so this heavy protection against the cold is doubly needed. Caumsett Park Unique I have been to Caumsett State Park in February 8, 1979 GREAT GRAY OWL -Last Long Island sighting of this bird was by Roy Latham in 1902. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh Lloyd Harbor before, but for some reason I got to know the area better following the owl as he moved from area to area. Too bad it's so far away, yet by the expressway it's little more than an hour's drive. The area is typical north shore with its hardwood forest and rolling glacial terrain. It's the old Marshall Field estate and still gives a good idea of an era of wealth that probably never again will be duplicated. The splendor of the carpentry on the barns and outbuildings is unheard of in today's world of lost trades - and high prices. Yet without that kind of wealth and the ego that travels with it. this great area would not have been available to the state for us to enjoy. It's a superb place to hike. and cross country ski. If the outdoors is your thing and you want a bit of change and a glimpse intn - the past, you'll enjoy this large unique area -, called Caumsett State Park. And should you he as fortunate as we were to see the Great Gray Owl on your visit there. it could be your once -in -a- lifetime chance to observe this dignitary from the Far North.