I'm not sure because I couldn't see the bird but this afternoon I heard an owl in my district (Balgowlah). I checked with the Top 40 Bird sounds and it did sound like the Powerful Owl. I will be monitoring (by ear not electronically) from now and I will be very excited if it turns out to be the Powerful Owl.
A couple of months ago, this time after dark, I had a large bird fly overhead (probably about 3-4 metres from the ground). I haven't heard or seen anything like this since. Will keep a look out though.
Has anyone heard or seen a Powerful Owl in the lower northern beaches area? I'm hoping this is not overactive imagination at work.
Hi Corinne
You have ample habitat and food source for Powerful Owls along the Northern Beaches. If you are in Balgowlah, your nearest good habitat would be around Manly Dam, which is not far. Powerful Owls will travel great distances over their territories, and depending of prey density/availablility these territories can be as large as 5,000 or so hectares. I am sure you'd get Common Brushtail Possums as well as Common Ringtail Possums in your suburban areas and they'd have some other prey varieties around the dam area.
Thanks for the information. Yes, we have visits from both Ringtail and Brushtail Possums and our neighbourhood has extensive trees and shrubbery. I didn't realise the Powerful Owl covered such large territory. I will continue to look out for the Owl now I know it is quite possibly what I heard.
Hi Corinne - yes I would be very confident about your ID - Powerful Owls are all through the lower north shore :)
We have a Powerful Owl project here at Birds in Backyards: http://birdsinbackyards.net/surveys/Powerful-Owl-Project
I actually had a project officer start yesterday to oversee the project for the next 2 years.
Holly
Anyone I know? Project Officer that is.....
I don't think so Akos - we had some awsesome candidates apply, it was a really difficult decision (thats not a bad thing though!)
The project officer is Dave Bain. He did his PhD on Eastern Bristlebirds and has some great environmental ed experience too. I am sure he will be on here soon to introduce himself.