Vermont Rare Bird Reports 2018

Clear afternoon

Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera with Canon 400mm F2.8 and Canon 1.4 extender

I'm an intermediate level birder; have observed only one wild great gray before (Newport, NH in early 2017, made several visits).

Evergreen forest. Chickadees, nuthatches and crows noticed in area while watching owl

Bird was perched on an evergreen branch, roughly 6 feet above ground. Bird spent roughly 20 minutes casually looking around. Two photographers were standing in the open on a dirt driveway, the bird must have been aware of us but gave no indication that it noticed us. A driver with a pickup drove up and chatted with us, the bird seemed to ignore this too. The bird took flight, flying low and landing in relatively new growth (4-8' tall) evergreens. We suspected it was hunting, but lost sight of it in the trees.

Did not hear any

A friend called and told me he had found the bird. It took me roughly 25 minutes to get to the bird. My friend reports the bird remained on the same perch from the time spotted until it flew and we lost it. When I arrived, I set up my camera on a tripod on the driveway next to my friend. The bird did not respond to us as far as I could tell. The bird was looking around, we interpreted the behavior as looking for prey. While we were watching, a neighbor drove up in his pickup and stopped to ask what we were photographing. He stayed and chatted a few minutes, without noticeable reaction from the owl. While we were chatting, the bird took off and flew low over small evergreens before banking and apparently landing. We were unable to see the bird through the trees and were unable to relocate it that evening.

I made two trips back to the area on the two following days without relocating the bird. I may have heard it call on the second trip, but have low confidence on my ID skills by ear.

Large bird, estimate 25-30" tall, distinctive owl shape

Large round head, brown with silver or white streaking on back. Face was silver with circles of brown streaks circling large yellow eyes. Underside of 'chin' had a white stripe with back "bow-tie"

Unable to feet. Bill is curved and yellow, partially obscured by feathers.

Pattern of silver (white?) and brown bars

Pattern of silver (white?) and brown bars on back, we couldn't see his rump

Large wings, brown with silver steaks on top, white with brown bars underneath

Mix of silver and brown stripes

Long tail, rounded at end, brown and white bars

I don't know enough about owls to know of a similar species