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By Weston Smith
February 2017,
Morgan County, Utah
When you
hear someone say they're having a gray day, you think they're
having a bad day. Well, not in my case, and the case of several
others seeing a very rare visitor to Utah. I am a bird watcher
(otherwise known as a birder.) Recently, I have heard rumors that
a bird I have been wanting to see for several years has been seen
in Utah. In the world of birdwatching (also referred to as
birding) this bird is known as a nemesis bird even in other states
where this bird is common and in areas that they nest yearly.
Since it is so difficult to spot, you might think of a tiny bird,
like a hummingbird, but this is the world’s largest owl by length
known as the Great Gray Owl. These beautiful owls inhabit the
boreal forests north of Utah.
I have been contemplating a quick trip to Rexburg, Idaho where
they are commonly seen in heavy winters. I have a friend, Billy
Fenimore owner of Wild About Birds Nature Center in Layton, who
knows I live in Morgan County. He sent me a photo of a Great Gray
Owl. Billy told me someone took it in Morgan. Since there were no
other details, I thought “He's messing with me.”
I am not a social person at all and get anxiety when in large
concentrations such as a mall. So, I forwarded the picture on to a
good friend here in Morgan, Garry Mowery that is active in all
sorts of groups, if anyone knew there was a Great Gray Owl here in
Morgan, he would (or would find out.)
Then things got a bit strange as we discussed this over texting,
(which is not my best suit,) that the owl picture is possibly
photo shopped. This made me a bit frustrated inside thinking I was
the butt of someone’s joke. The next morning Garry sent me a
different photo of a Great Gray Owl that was in almost the same
position just a different type of tree the text read "is this the
bird?" I looked, the birds looked to be in nearly the same
position though the head was turned a bit more. I sent back "no"
and didn't think any more about it. Several hours later Garry
called me with a bit of confusion in his voice said "That's not a
Great Gray Owl?" I replied "Yes, but that is not the one possibly
used in the other photo".
The conversation went on for a bit about how Garry was on an
outing earlier in the day with some people from the Mountain Green
area of Morgan who were talking about an owl. They showed him a
picture, which is the one he forwarded me earlier. Garry then said
he had them show him where they got the picture. They took him
into the Cottonwoods subdivision in Mountain Green. That’s where
he was on the phone with me then he said "I'm just saw a large owl
fly from a tree which looked like one pictured though it's hard to
see in all the snow coming down. Are you busy? Could you come see
it?”
Although I about dropped the phone, I said I could be there in
about twenty minutes. I live in Croydon on the other end of the
county. I rushed to get my birding stuff (camera, binoculars,
spotting scope, books etc.) and dashed out the door. I met Garry
and then followed him around the subdivision with him is his car,
and I in mine. In minutes, he stopped and pointed out his window
to a large object in the top of a dead tree. There it was, as big
as life, a Great Gray Owl!
(continued below)
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Photo by
Louize Smith
©Louize Smith
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My jaw dropped as I realized I was seeing this owl within
miles of my house. I'd traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of
miles and spent so much time trying to see this owl. What an
awesome sight! I spent the next couple hours watching and
calling close friends and relatives so they had the chance to
witness this beautiful sight with me, before it got posted all
over internet.
I also called the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UWDR)
so they could monitor it as well. Since this is not only a
rare bird in Utah, it is an owl. Many people love to see owls
- there's just something about them that gets people
interested. I've been on some rare bird excursions before and
know things can get out of hand just like in the movie "The
Big Year." With these factors and the fact that the roads are
a little narrower due to large amounts of snow I ask if the
UDWR would check on the area whenever they had a chance to
keep the bird as well as residents from possible miss guided
people.
(continued below)
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Photo by
Weston Smith
©Weston Smith
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There are positive aspects of having a rare bird that many want to
see. (The Great Grey Owl has only been recorded in Utah 5 times
before, with the last recorded sighting in 1989.) It brings people
from all over Utah and perhaps from other neighboring states to
see this rare bird. This could thereby boost Morgan’s economy with
these people purchasing gasoline, meals, and treats as part of
their trip for a once-in-a lifetime view of the Great Grey Owl.
Talking to some of the residents, this bird has been in the area
for weeks. Based on bird behavior I have observed since I was a
young boy birding with my dad, mom and brothers, I believe this
owl will stay until winter ends, it depletes its food source,
(mainly meadow voles,) or is harassed. I hope it stays for all
wanting to see it. If you go to see it, remember it is a wild
animal. It is having a rough winter like many of the other wild
animals we are seeing near of us. Great Grey Owls can be a lot
like me and move away if crowded too much.
As I was leaving, I didn't think anything could add to this
awesome day, but there on the side of the road I saw seven Gray
Partridge.
(continued below)
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Photo by
Weston Smith
©Weston Smith
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My brother mentioned
he saw them when he came to see the owl. Now that is how you
have a gray day that's not gray at all. ■
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