‘An Owl In The Woods’

Neighbor Paul Walters tells us about an amazing sighting yesterday:

“This morning Dakota (my German shepherd) and I were walking along the alley that abuts the wooded area of what maps call Linnean Playground. Between Broad Branch Terrace and Linnean Avenue, a loud rustle in the woods caught our attention – and we saw a large barred owl floating through the trees. It landed, and turned its head to stare at us with piercing eyes, then flew on. The bird was at least 18 inches tall, if not more. In 16 years living in Forest Hills, I have never seen an owl in the woods.”

A barred owl like the one spotted by our neighbor. (photo courtesy of the Fish & Wildlife Service, fws.gov)