Formerly a reliable winter magnet for Short-eared Owls between November and March, it appears that this spot has fallen out of favor with these charismatic raptors. The likely reason is the change in the condition of the main field, which in the winter of 2005 had a dazzling 24 Short-eareds in view at once. At that time, the field was cut relatively short (at about 18 inches), with many tussocks and clumps of grass, as well as spots with shorter grass, visible bare spots, and some wet spots. In recent winters, the plants have been much taller, with some tree saplings present. As such, both the owls and their day-shift counterpart Northern Harriers seem to no longer prefer this specific location.
The general area north of Rectortown does have many hundreds of acres that appear from a distance like the fields preferred by the owls in their heyday, thus it’s possible that there are still Short-eareds nearby. Hopefully they’ll be discovered again.
The birding while waiting for the owls was always interesting. Those who arrived early enough were often treated to American Tree Sparrows in the tangle at the edge of the owl field. The decline of that species in Fauquier County has made that bird hard to find anywhere, with none being reported here since 2017. Other species that were sometimes encountered were American Woodcocks (either peenting in late winter/early spring or commuting from their daytime hideout to somewhere to feed. Barn Owls were sometimes heard screeching, and Barred Owls would hoot from time to time. American Kestrels, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks, and Bald Eagles were often noted.
How to bird this hotspot: The hotspot is located along Crenshaw Road (VA 624). About one-half mile north of the intersection with Rectortown Road (VA 710) there is a small structure on the east side of the road. It is a rectangular gazebo, and it sits about 75 feet off of the road. There is an entry way to a parking lot that services the gazebo, which is typically chained closed. There is enough room between the road and the chain for 2-3 vehicles to park (if parked smartly). The gazebo itself is not public, nor is the parking area. However, in close to two decades of birders parking at the entrance, no stories have emerged of folks being confronted by landowners or law enforcement.
Once parked, look across the street, scanning between the west and north for harriers or owls flying over the field. A scope isn’t necessary, though it will offer better views at any perched birds. The wall/wire fence that borders the field has old tangles of vegetation, and once was a regular spot for American Tree Sparrow. These days it is typically Field Sparrows, White-throated Sparrows, and Northern Mockingbirds. A lingering Chipping Sparrow isn’t unexpected.
As a word of caution, should this venue become a favored haunt to Short-eareds again, aside from the parking area described above, this is little other parking. There are several houses on this road, most located close to the vantage point. Parking in the road is ill-advised, and will likely result in negative interactions with local residents.
Lastly, prior to this viewing spot being discovered, these birds were often observed from Rectortown Road (VA 710), just under a mile north of the turnoff for Crenshaw. There, the only place to get a car off the road was at two gates to two different fields on opposite sides of the street. Rectortown Road is also a major road in this part of the county, and traffic legally drives at 45 MPH here. If there were cars parked along it, most drivers would be unlikely to appreciate it.
eBird Hotspot: Rectortown Short-eared Owl Fields
—Todd Michael Day, August 2020