In my interview, (link here ) Prairie Birder asked a question that I am pleased to be able to say the answer has changed.
Here is the question and answer in the interview:
PB: Are you hoping to see a specific species(s) this spring or summer?
Ethan: Definitely! My Dad just saw a Northern Pygmy Owl and I really want to see it too. I never have. I’d also love to see and identify a Clark’s Grebe. I’ve seen lots of Western Grebes, but never a Clark’s for sure.
Should this question be asked now, it would be more like this:
PB: Are you hoping to see a specific species(s) this spring or summer?
Ethan: Definitely! My Dad saw a Northern Pygmy Owl in January, and it would be my ” Nemesis Bird,” but I have heard one very recently and by doing so I have changed my bird to the Clark’s Grebe.
So my nemesis bird is now solely the Grebe as I heard the Owl. We had heard that someone saw 3 and heard another 2 in one area, so we naturally went down there and looked for them. The first few birds we saw were Grey Jays, and Chickadees. However, a little way in, (we had the windows down so that we could hear anything calling outside of the car) my dad heard a sound he thought was the single “Toot” of a Pygmy Owl. Sure enough, when we got out and listened, the sound was a definite Northern Pygmy Owl. We looked for a long time, but didn’t see one. Still, that is one bird I’ve really wanted to see that I’ve heard! (That counts – but hopefully I’ll see one soon!)
Be sure to check my year list to see what I’ve seen lately!
Here’s a Northern Pygmy Owl my dad saw a few years ago:
Wow, that’s great! I’d love to see one of those!