This Great-horned Owl was spotted on one of the towers out at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Jones County on March 11, 2006. Owls are among the first resident birds to nest. This female will incubate her eggs for about 30 days; the chicks will leave the nest five weeks later but stay nearby because they won’t be able to fly until nine or ten weeks old. The parents will tend and care for the young for several months until they are old enough to take care of themselves.

Also seen on Pond 3 were hundreds of Long-billed Dowitchers, Least Sandpipers, and Brewer’s Blackbirds. FOS (first-of-season) birds: American Avocets (3), Cinnamon Teals (at least three pairs), and a few Blue-winged Teals. Pond 1 was almost dry; the numerous Killdeers will enjoy nesting there if rains don’t fill it. Winter sparrows were still present with good numbers of Vesper, Savannah, White-crowned’s and Lincoln’s. Duck numbers were dwindling but Gadwalls, Green-winged Teals and Ruddy Ducks were seen floating on Pond 3.