Re: [Maine-birds] Owl striking a skier at Pineland today

Great Horned Owls are famous for this around nests. It is that season or close to it.

There was an early photographer of birds Eric Hosking  who lost an eye in the attempt to photograph a Tawny Owl.

Dan Nickerson 

On Wed, Dec 27, 2017 at 10:19 PM Boots. <bootsg@gmail.com> wrote:

Maybe territorial, but birding with Wayne Petersen (Massachusetts Audubon Society) years ago we had an owl swoop down onto the one person among us who was wearing a hat that could have been mistaken by an owl for a rabbit: pale grey and fuzzy wool. So, who knows why for sure but the owl?

On Wed, Dec 27, 2017 at 9:04 PM Craig Kesselheim <ckesselheim@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all -- I got a call from a friend who was skiing today on a x-country trail at Pineland in New Gloucester. He was struck on the head from behind and knocked down by a large owl (perhaps a Barred? no ear tufts were noted). The bird then perched nearby and watched as my friend edged away and moved further along the trail. The owl flew again at my friend, passing very low over his head and selecting another nearby perch. Once home, my friend discovered a short but scary slice in his scalp. Good thing he had a hat on!

I am sharing this because it might be worth passing along to the staff at Pineland, and also among your x-country friends. I am also wondering whether folks have insights about this strike, coming at a time that seems early in the season for owl territoriality. But perhaps not?

Thanks and stay warm,

Craig K

Southwest Harbor

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~Boots.

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