The great gray owl in Tupper Lake which was viewed by so many people on Easter was found again this morning, Tuesday, April 2nd. The bird had not been reported Easter evening or all day on Monday, April 1st, although I recently heard a rumor that someone did see it late in the day on Monday. Unfortunately for folks who traveled up from both Buffalo and New York City with whom I chatted yesterday, they were unable to find the owl during its brief absence.

Kendra refound the owl this morning on her way to work at The Wild Center and quickly called me with the big news. Other folks from The Wild Center were soon on the scene, and we started calling birders who we knew would be interested in seeing it – particularly those who had not seen the bird on Easter. The owl was still in the same area along Routes 3 and 30 east of Tupper Lake between the Kentile Excavating sign and where the Raquette River meets the road.

A series of birders has visited the site this morning to see the owl, braving the blustery conditions. The owl was last seen flying back into the trees on the south side of the road, heading toward the Raquette River. No doubt it is still in the area, although for how long, no one can say for certain.

And while it is difficult to know how long the owl will remain, there are a number of good hunting areas along the river and the wetland on the north side of road. Warming weather later this week may send the bird north towards its usual range for the breeding season, so folks who are interested in seeing this bird should get out there as soon as they can! For the owl's sake, it would be good if it didn't stay along the road much longer. Owls fly low as they hunt, and it could easily be hit by a car.

Birders interested in looking for the owl should continue to check the Northern New York Birds listserv (http://birding.aba.org/maillist/NY07) where birders are regularly posting regarding the bird. Birders who search for the bird should also be careful of the busy road. If the bird is not along the road, state land flanks both sides of the road and the owl could well be hunting back along grassy areas which border the Raquette River to the south or the wetland on the north side of the road. It is an amazing bird to witness and well worth the effort and time of searching!