Barn Owl in Bank Swallow Colony

Following a tip from our friend Gary Worthington, Alex and I were headed for a location where Gary has reliably seen Bewick's Wren.  It was late in the day, so we didn't see it, but we did stop at a massive Bank Swallow Colony.  This is the biggest I have seen.  There are multiple layers, and I am sure a few thousand Bank Swallows are nesting in it.  I didn't have my small lens, so the picture doesn't really do a good job showing it's size.  Bank Swallows seem to be the only species in the small cavities, besides a few European Starlings. 

Bank Swallow Colony

In the largest cavity on the bank, Alex spotted a Barn Owl, which is a favorite bird for both of us (Barn Owl is the first species I worked with).  It looks like it might be on a nest, but it could also just be sitting a little lower.  In western Pennsylvania, Barn Owls are pretty much nonexistant, but they are becoming more abundant in eastern Pennsylvania because of nest boxes that are provided for them.  We see many road-killed on the roads here, unfortunately, so it was nice to finally see one alive.

Barn Owl roosting in Bank Swallow Colony

close-up of Barn Owl...on a nest?

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