The Melbourne (Williamstown) Powerful Owl

[Dr Richard Nowotny <>]

Any Melbourne/Geelong (or visiting) birder who has not seen a Powerful
Owl (and even those who have) should give serious consideration to
driving (or training) over to Williamstown to see the one which has been
there now for some 6 weeks (already referred to in an earlier posting on
Birding-Aus).  It is a remarkable sight (and site), remembering that
at 60 cms max height it is the largest hawk-owl  and one of the
world's larger owls overall.
It spends the day roosting in one of the large elm trees in Nelson Place,
which are all leafless at this time of year, providing the most
extraordinary day-time views of this spectacular bird.
Directions:  From downtown Williamstown drive south along the Strand
and turn left (east) into Nelson Place, heading towards the Bay. 
The elm/s in question are on the left (northern) side of Nelson Place
just beyond Ann St, out the front of Nelson House (the offices of
Tenix).  It is very hard not to see the owl if you look up,
it being so large and the tree being so completely bare.
Richard Nowotny

                
RICHARD NOWOTNY
8 Pier St   Port Melbourne
VIC  AUSTRALIA  3207
(H)  61-3-9645.6870
(M)  0438 224456