While scanning the flock Canada Geese at Crystal Beach, from behind me I heard a ruckus of "annoyance" of two crows. On turning I observed two crows in hot pursuit of what appeared to be an owl, approximately the same size but different shape and flight action as compared to the crows. The quarry disappeared into a grove of cedar/hemlock without a full ID. Possible Barred Owl! Loves Marsh, Castleton, Rutland, US-VT Dec 1, 2011 8:50 AM - 9:05 AM Protocol: Stationary Comments: Temperature 32 degrees F. Brisk north wind. Ice free. 8 species Mallard 7 Bufflehead 2 Hooded Merganser 18 Blue Jay 2 American Crow 1 Black-capped Chickadee 1 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Goldfinch 2 Lake Bomoseen-Castleton (2360 acres), Rutland, US-VT Dec 1, 2011 9:15 AM - 11:50 AM Protocol: Stationary Comments: Temperature 32 to 35 degrees F. Brisk north wind. Ice free. Observations made from 8 stations around the lake. 22 species Canada Goose 98 On the lake and shore. About half of the 30 birds on shore had a leg band on the left leg. Mallard 37 Greater Scaup 1 Lesser Scaup 6 Bufflehead 66 In two groups, the larger group of 54 were feeding in the same area as the Common Goldeneye. Sixteen took flight and 38 remained. Common Goldeneye 174 Checked for Barrow's. Hooded Merganser 22 Common Merganser 5 Pied-billed Grebe 1 Red-necked Grebe 1 Bald Eagle 1 Adult, flying over lake. Mourning Dove 1 American Crow 5 Common Raven 1 Black-capped Chickadee 8 Tufted Titmouse 3 White-breasted Nuthatch 1 American Robin 2 European Starling 22 Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) 1 American Goldfinch 4 House Sparrow 2 This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org/vt) Cheers, Roy Pilcher The Gables at East Mountain, Rutland, Vermont Speaking the same language.