A Tale of Two Checklists

There is a field we visit here in our home county, which up until recently was a communal roost for Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls.

In 2023 we saw 23 of the former in the field, soaring in to roost on the fence or crouching down in the short brush. (Checklist with photos:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S129462371) On other nights there were at least five owls with them.

Last year we spotted a handful.

Yesterday there was one. (Checklist with Photos: https://ebird.org/checklist/S1294623710

No owls at all.

Ain't development fun....