Owl-less in Peru

This winter we have witnessed an extraordinary influx of boreal owls from the north, especially Snowy Owls. Recently, a report of a Hawk Owl in Peru, New York caught my attention. The photographs of this cooperative owl that appeared on various blogs and websites added to the excitement. So yesterday, my wife, Pam, and I took the plunge, so to speak, and dutifully traveled to Peru. While waiting for the Grand Isle ferry I noted a handsome Red-breasted Merganser swimming with a small contingent of Common Mergansers-surely a good omen for future success.

Alas, this was not the case. We found the spot where the owl had been reported without difficulty-the corner of Mannix Road and Clark Road in Peru. But the owl was nowhere to be seen. We rode up and down Clark Road several times, scanning the fields, orchards, telephone poles, and fence posts without success. I thought that this was supposed to be easy! We expanded our search to include much of the nearby countryside. No luck. After an hour of fruitless meandering we surrendered-owl-less in Peru. We are not disheartened, though. Another Hawk Owl has been reported in Eden, VT. Now where exactly is Eden located. In paradise, no doubt.