[obol] Winter-time flycatchers

[Dan Gleason]

You might add Western Screech-Owl to the fly-catching list but my  
observation is fall rather than winter. I was once looking for owls  
with some of my class members. We called a pair of W. Screech-Owls  
into the oak trees overhead. I put my flashlight beam on them for  
everyone to see. Not wanting to leave the light on the bird long, I  
let the light drop. I didn't turn it off and suddenly, I saw the owls  
swooping down in front of us. Large moths were attracted to the  
lightbeam and the owls were catching them in mid-air. Fun to watch.  
They took 5-6 large moths while we watched.

I've not seen this in winter but I would suspect they would do the  
same if easy to catch large insects showed up.

Dan Gleason
-------------
Dan Gleason
dan-gleason at comcast.net
541 345-0450


On Dec 5, 2007, at 3:49 PM, Dennis P. Vroman wrote:

> Hi Otis,
>
> I would think Merlin would count (not what you would consider a  
> Flycatcher).  Come to think of it, I once observed one catch a  
> Dragonfly and feast on it, all while still in flight.
>
> How about American Kestrel, anyone observe them capturing insects  
> on the wing?  They are pretty good at pouncing on them for sure.
>
> Have watched Acorn Woodpeckers "hawking" from the top of utility  
> poles on many an occasion; have not observed this behavior in the  
> winter by them, however.
>
> Dennis (north of Grants Pass)
>
> Dennis, et al:  Does a Merlin get registered when it is capturing  
> October Caddis over the Rogue River?  An October Caddis  is the  
> size of a small moth (about 2" across between wing tips).  Seen by  
> Vince Zauskey and me at Dodge Bridge.  Among the Woodpeckers, an  
> Acorn Woodpecker paused in direct mid-flight to "hawk" an unknown  
> species of insect, then proceed on course to a Ponderosa  Pine  
> snag, on Roxy  Ann Butte East of Medford  though not in the  
> winter.  Otis Swisher, Medford.
>
> >
> > Would be interesting to see just how many different winter-time  
> (late fall
> > included) non-flycatcher bird species folks are observing  
> capturing insects
> > on the wing (somewhat flycatcher style at least). We can put  
> Yellow-rumped
> > Warbler and Cedar Waxwing down by default I would think.
> >
> > 3 so far, any others to add? Dennis
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