BUFF-FRONTED OWL FINALLY SEEN 7 May 2009 

This is a species I have lusted after for years in Ecuador which Roger and I finally found only 45 minutes from Quito the other night. We had been out owling and nightjarring for an hour and finally heard its quavering trill.  

Under a beautiful full moon we heard Band-winged Nightjar, Great Horned Owl and saw 2 Barn Owls fly over. We approached the trill and I got 2 recordings of the little owl and then started to reel it in but it was down in an impenetrable ravine. We eased off, waited a bit and began playing again when it started calling in a tree close to us. The acacia tree was dense and packed with Tillandsia, impossible to see it. Then it moved again landing in a more merciful Inga tree. It moved to another branch where we could spot light it and Roger managed one image. What a great owl with its tawny buff underparts and face with the expressive black slanted eyebrows! The size of a screech-owl this rare species has been recorded in only a few places in Ecuador. Now Andean Birding can take you to a site with a great chance of seeing this elusive species!

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