Subject: BirdBox transcript 19-23 Oct 96
5:26 p.m. October 20th - Bob Norton from Port Angeles, 928-3053. SNOWY
OWL was present today in the log raft in Port Angeles harbor as viewed
from Ediz Hook. As you drive out Ediz Hook park at the 20 MPH sign not
long before you get to the rest room and toilet house. As you look out
there is an empty circle outlined by a log boom. It was in the middle of
the raft to the right, or west, of the open space. From the amount of
black spotting my guess is that this is a young adult. Thank you.
4:30 p.m. October 21st - Hello. This is Patrick
Sullivan along with Ruth
Sullivan reporting from Tacoma, Washington at area code 206-564-7419, also
including Craig Kemper. The SNOWY OWL at Ediz Hook in Clallam County that
was originally observed on Saturday was again observed today between 12:00
and 12:30 p.m., 0.3 miles from the last stop sign at the pulp mill.
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 21:46:45 -0700
From: Paul Cozens
The first SNOWY OWL of the season has been found at Ediz Hook near Port
Angeles. The bird was last seen on the 21st, .3 miles past the last sign at
the pulp mill.
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 1996 00:09:32 -0400
From: Norton360@aol.com
the Ediz Hook Snowy Owl was present today,
norton360@aol.com
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 00:27:46 -0400
From: Norton360@aol.com
The Snowy Owl was present 10-22 but I could not find it today.
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 1996 19:48:37 -0400
From: Norton360@aol.com
Subject: PA Snowy Owl(SnOw) at Ediz Hook
Well, I was unable to find the SnOw yesterday but Carol Strohmeyer saw it
about 5PM on the log raft where it was first seen. She tried but did not see
it today and I was not out.
Directions: Go 1.3 miles from the stop sign in the Daishowa Plant out
Ediz Hook. Park at the 20 mph speed sign and look at the raft to the right.
It has been on that raft on three days. The other day it was on the log raft
nearest the Daishowa Plant.
From: Norton360@aol.com
The Snowy Owl on Ediz Hook was seen on the beach near Daishowa on
Oct 30,
by an observer who works on the Coast Guard Station.
Date: Wed, 30 Oct 1996 16:51:55 -0800
From: Paul Cozens
There has been a SNOWY OWL at 5001 Tower Dr. Northeast in Tacoma since
8:30 this morning. The bird has been atop this house's roof all day. The
area is Harbor Ridge Estates. Betty (the owner of the house) says come on
by. Hope it stays 'til tomorrow.
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 11:16:55 -0800
From: "Anthony J. Kroha"
The SNOWY OWL reported Wednesday in Northeast Tacoma was still present as of
9:00 am this morning. The SNOW has moved about 4 blocks west of the previous
sighting to 5525 23rd Ave NE in the Pinnacle Point development. Look for
crows and gulls harassing the bird.
If you have a AAA map of Tacoma, see section J-4. Alternately, from North-
shore Parkway, turn north on Orca Drive, left on 56th ST NE to 23rd Ave NE,
to the first culdesac uphill from the intersection of 23rd and Parkview DR.
>From Tacoma, turn right at Cliff House Restaurant onto Slayden Rd and continue
ahead to Northshore Parkway. From Seattle, take Exit 142 west to 348th st.
and follow the main streets west, Northshore Pkway begins at the county line.
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 1996 20:22:26 -0800
From: Paul Cozens
Today, November 1, a Snowy Owl appeared in a large fir tree behind the
house at 11508 20th Ave. NE, near Northgate. The person making the
report was Garth Ferber, it's his house. No other details.
8:27pm November 1st - Good evening. Michael Carmody, November 1st. There
is a SNOWY OWL also in Thurston County, was seen this afternoon for long
period of time right up to nightfall. On Spurgeon Creek Road, reached from
the Yelm Highway, which is reached from College or Ruddell Road. From I5
on College to Yelm highway, Yelm Highway to Spurgeon Creek Road, at that
intersection go 2.6 miles down the road is a view spot and a place to park
the car, and a place where the meadow can be viewed. This particular owl
is favoring the tops of fir trees and has been seen by a number of local
birders throughout the day on November 1st. Thank you, good birding!
6:13pm November 1st - Hello, this is Steve Pink of Bellevue, phone number
603.0736. There's an adult SNOWY OWL at Edmonds this evening off the
fishing pier on the rocky jetty srrounding the marina at the southern end
of that. Clearly viewable from the fishing pier. It was present from at
least 4:30 to 5pm. Thank you.
9:12am November 2nd - This is Bob Norton, Port Angeles.
260.928.3053.
Nov 2nd, A SNOWY OWL out on Ediz Hook and
it was reported about two days previously. This is probably a different
owl than the one we had earlier because it shows a lot more dark flecking
on it. Thank you.
Date: Sun, 3 Nov 1996 09:29:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Christopher Hill
While eating breakfast at Denny's in Everett this morning, I heard someone
at the next table describe the "Snowy White Owl" that had spent the
previous day at his worksite "on the tail" [of an aircraft, I surmise],
and thus probably there is a Snowy hanging out at the Boeing plant in
Everett, or at a local airport.
From: "H. Opperman"
I received a message that a Snowy Owl spent Sunday afternoon, November
3rd, on Beacon Hill in Seattle near the Veterans' Hospital. It was
photographed at close range but left its perch after nightfall and has not
been seen since. The ex-location was the roof of a garage behind 4618
13th Avenue South, near the corner of South Alaska. Crows were giving it
a hard time. Maybe it's still around the neighborhood, and still being
mobbed, which might make it possible to find it again.
10:38 a.m. November 4th - Hi. This is Charlie Kahl, I'm
calling in from
the Seattle Audubon Society desk. We recently had a call this morning,
this is Monday the 4th of November, at 10 a.m., of a SNOWY OWL in north
Ballard on Dibble Ave between 73rd and 75th. The caller was not sure of
the identity of the bird, but after describing it to us it was pretty
obvious that was most likely what it was. That was on Dibble Ave between
73rd and 75th.
4:37pm Nov 4 - This is Barry Levine reporting from Seattle and it's 4:30
and I just was over looking at the immature SNOWY OWL which is located on
Dibble NW in Ballard, between 73rd and 75th. It's behind the house at
7320 in a tall conifer tree just off to the left of center and when I was
there there were about ten crows mobbing it. If you need to more
information you can call me at 206.526.8676 Good luck and good birding.
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 17:37:05 -0800
From: "William R. Applegate"
I was walking my dog along the beach today (4 Nov 96) at Joseph Whidbey
State Park on NW Whidbey Island. We encountered a snow owl. It was
perched on a prominent driftwood log just back from the high tide line.
It flushed as we approached and flew to t he NW out over the water of N
Puget Sound. After circling back twice to look at us it flew in the
direction of the south coast of Lopez Island. There was no whitewash nor
any castings around the log on which it was perched. One wonders if this
is yet a nother snowy owl, or if it is one of the birds previously
reported that has changed its location.
7:43pm Nov 4th - Hello This is Michael Priba 206.623.7798 Today at Edmonds
the SNOWY OWL seen previously on the seawall was located by my wife and I
with the help of a great many Union Oil employees who directed us toward
it just inside the gate of the old tank farm adjacent to the Union Oil
marsh. It was sitting on a little stump by the little gate-keeper's
house. Later in the afternoon we saw it fly up and sit on one of the
large oil tanks, presumably hunting or finding a better perch for the
night.
Hi this is Dave Beaudette, 206.365.2083. Spent Monday,
November the 4th birding Clallum County. At Ediz Hook the single SNOWY
OWL was still present.
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 96 15:54:47 -0800
From: Don Baccus
There are reports of two Snowy Owl hanging out on Bayocean Spit (the
spit that lies between the ocean and Tillamook Bay).
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 16:38:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Dale Goble
just so everyone on the wet side doesn't think only they have snowys, i
went to mann lake this morning to look for oldsquaw. john and marty hirth
were there and they had found not only an oldsquaw but also a snowy owl.
it was a bright sunny day in the low 50s.
Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 21:16:37 -0800 (PST)
From: "Jim P. Flynn"
I realize it's becoming rather mundane to report Snowy
Owls but I thought I'd clue everyone in to a Snowy Owl along
Russell Rd. in Kent, WA. The owl was seen between 5:00 & 5:10 PM
(until dusk) in the fields due west of the Kent Ponds. The area
is best reached by parking at either of the two new parking areas
along Russell Rd and walking East towards the ponds. The immature
bird was sitting on a stump pile in the middle of the fields eyeing
the waterfowl that fly in to roost at the ponds. It made no attempts
to hunt though and was still in the same spot when I left. I had
only stopped by to see if the Short-eared Owls were still around
and while I didn't see them I was handsomely rewarded with this
bird anyways.
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 22:48:29 -0800
From: "Katherine A. Weil"
Dave Eshbaugh at Portland Audubon told me they received a dead SNOWY OWL
yesterday--was hit by a car out by the airport. Apparently the bird WAS
mobbed by crows, driving it towards the roadway (no pun intended). I also
heard that someone got the whole thing on videotape. Email Dave for more
detail at: deshbaugh@audubon-pdx.com
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 13:03:39 -0800 (PST)
From: Renate Falkins
Can you stand one more Snowy Owl sighting? Tuesday evening, near
the new runway at Vancouver International Airport. Stunning bird!
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 96 13:24:11 -0800
From: Don Baccus
Well, there apparently was a third Oregon snowy in Linn County (same
as Eugene) a couple of days ago...
6:04pm Nov 6 - Hello, this is Patrick Sullivan reporting from Tacoma,
Washington, 206.564.7419. At Dungeness National Waterfront Refuge in
Clallum County there were 9 SNOWY OWLS and 2 SNOW BUNTINGS.
From Norton360@aol.com
I talked to the photographer and the SnOw picture appeaed in the
Peninsula Daily News Nov. 7. The picture was taken off the Lower Elwha
Road on Nov. 6.
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 02:27:57 -0700
From: Harry Nehls
Up to four SNOWY OWLS have been seen in the driftwood along the ocean beach
of the Bayocean Peninsula at Tillamook Bay since November 2. Another SNOWY
OWL was struck and killed by a pickup along I205 near the Portland Airport
November 5. Another has been reported from the Peoria area southeast of
Corvallis.
From: "Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney" Mouth of the
Nisqually River. I talked to a colleague who had duck-hunted there the
previous week (Thursday the 7th?), and he had seen one there on that day -
the owl paid him no attention, although he spent the afternoon within 50m
of the bird! He also noted that the owl had apparently fed on a female
Bufflehead, as there was a 'breasted- out' carcass of that species on the
end of the log where the owl was perched.
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 10:21:44 -0800 (PST)
From: 'Dan' Daniel Victor
I just got off the phone with Bud Anderson. He mentioned a few more Snowy
Owl sightings for this recent invasion.
Yesterday:
-- 3 at Port Susan Bay
-- 3 at Big Ditch access
-- 1 at the mouth of the Samish
Last Week:
-- 1 one on Sunset Road
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 10:02:30 -0800 (PST)
From: mwaller@wolfenet.com
We've had a Snowy here at the zoo for about a week after it was found in the
Alamo Car Rental Garage at SeaTac last week. It was underweight and too weak
to fly. Since then it is eating well and has gained weight so we will be
banding it and releasing it tomorrow.
From: Dale Goble
The spot this week was Mann Lake near Lewiston, ID. Lots of folks
November 7.
lake for the Oldsquaw were ecstatic to find a SNOWY OWL patrolling
near the model airplane club on the lake's east side. First seen on
Tuesday, November 5, the bird was seen through Thursday, but may
still be lurking around.
To get to Mann Lake, take US 12 west into Lewiston, cross the
Clearwater Bridge and immediately turn left toward East Lewiston.
ID DeLorme p. 54, A1.
Date: Thu, 07 Nov 1996 19:26:19 -0800
From: Ken Klimko
Thursday morning around 10am I had the opportunity to stop by the
Boundry Bay Dyke at the South end of 72nd and was fortunate enough to
count 4 Snowy Owls in the brief 10 minutes I was there. They were
individually holding down separate pieces of driftwood a long way out at
the edge of the mud where it meets the vegetated marsh. Too far out for
me to even attempt to identify sex or age with my optic equipment.
Last week I was at the same location and was asked if I had seen *The
White Owl* by a couple of Municipal employees who had seen it earlier in
the week.
Date: Thu, 7 Nov 1996 21:01:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Patrick Scott
Well, after countless trips to Moses Lake and other places during the
last five years.....we finally saw a Snowy Owl!!
He's right where everyone said he'd be, near the model airplane field.
Wow! What a fantastic bird! First saw it on a post right by the road,
where a mess o' pheasants was flying up around him while he casually (and
majestically) watched on...really really really cool!
11:53am Nov 7 - Hello this is Ted Peterson. The SNOWY OWL was again on the
breakwater near the Edmonds fishing pier this morning. Thank you.
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 15:01:01 -0800
From: Greg Toffic
The above mentioned 1st year male snowy owl, having gained 250 g.
(from 1150 g. to nearly 1400 g.) since it was brought to the zoo Oct. 29,
was released this morning near Edison. It flew very strongly and seems in
very good shape. He was given a U.S.F. and W.S. band and marked with green
coloring on the top and back of his head to aid in tracking. He was not
given a radio transmitter, so we will have to rely upon visual surveillance
to monitor the success of this release.
Date: Fri, 08 Nov 1996 18:11:25 -0800
From: Dan Logen
Four snowy owls at Big
Ditch just north of Stanwood late this afternoon. All west of the dike.
Scope needed for good views.
Date: Fri, 8 Nov 1996 21:30:36 -0800 (PST)
From: "M. Blue"
Today at the west 90 there was 1 snowy owl on the dike. Due to the many
hunters on the dike we scoped the bird from the parking area and could not
make out any color marks.
gbenton@pacificrim.net
one found for 4-5 hours on south lopez yesterday, November 8, near Ivaly
Hoedemaker's home. definitive id. cheers, bob
Date: 09 Nov 96 01:24:20 EST From: Larry Cowan
<102650.3672@CompuServe.COM> We have had an influx of SNOW starting mid
last week. The first was seen at the tip of the Iona south Jetty. This
bird is still being seen at this location. The next SNOW was seen at
Reifel and I believe it also is still there (saw this one myself). At the
foot of 72nd at Boundary Bay 5 birds have been regularly reported and I
seem to remember a figure of 12 on one of the alert messages this week.
Dale Goble It took out-of-staters to call in this last
sighting. David Nelson from San Francisco and Steve Metz from Tulsa saw 3
SNOWY OWLS near Coulee City, WA on November 9. Two birds were near US 2
milepost 182, about 5 miles west of Coulee City, near a small lake on the
north side of the road. Another bird was about 2 miles west as you begin
dropping down into town.
Date: Sat, 09 Nov 1996 13:07:38 -0800
From: Dan Logen
Delorme page 95 2 miles n.of Stanwood where hwy 530 and 102nd intersect. Go
west 1/2 mile and you're there. There is a sign at the beginning of the
gravel road at the railroad crossing that says "Big Ditch Access". It is
part of the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area, the main portion of which is on
Fir Island.
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 1996 11:53:04 -0800
From: Charlie Kahle
At this mornings bird count at Magnuson Park, in Seattle, Eileen Bryant's
(?sorry if I miss-spelled her name) group watched a Snowy Owl for 30 min
or so (it flew behind some of the Naval buildings behind the ball fields
just as I arrived, around 11am...)
It appeared to still be there as the crows were diving at something just
out of sight.
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 1996 14:03:43 -0800 (PST)
From: "M. Blue"
Today at 1200 I saw a snowy owl perched on a house just off maple st.
just south of renton honda. I saw the bird as i was coming around the
cloverleaf from 405 getting on to 167 heading out to russel rd. Just
follow the crows to find the bird.
Date: 09 Nov 96 18:43:13 EST
From: Larry Cowan <102650.3672@CompuServe.COM>
This mornings Vancouver Natural History Society field outing turned up 7 Snowy
Owls in a 1-2 kilometre stretch along the dike east of 72nd St. in Delta.
Another SNOW was seen in a field east of the foot of the Robert's Bank Jetty.
9:45AM Nov 9 - Hi. This is Greg Toffic from Woodland Park Zoo. This is a
request for information. If anyone sees the Snowy Owl that was released (by
the zoo) on the Samish Flats yesterday. This is a bird that I reported
yesterday that has been marked with green color on the back of its head. I'd
appreciate any reports particularly of any unusual circumstances. Please
contact either the Falcon Research Group at (360) 757-1911 or the zoo's
raptor center - Ernie Rose or Tom LaVersa at (206) 684-4013. Thank you.
6:17PM Nov 9 - Hi. This is Ruth Taylor (206) 525-6345. Birding from the
At the Big Ditch just before sunset today, 7
Snowy Owls, four in the scope at one time for all too brief a period of time
6:44PM Nov 9 - Hi. This is Rick Romea(sp) 523-5831.At least 4 Snowy Owls at
the Big Ditch Access near Stanwood today. Goodby.
9:24PM Nov 9 - This is Bruce LaBar from Tacoma, WA (206) 272-1058. Marcus
Roening, Heather Ballash, Marian Snyder and myself visited Dungeness Spit
today and we had 3 Snowy Owls about 3 and a half miles out on the spit.
From: SueHoover@aol.com
Nov 9 Snowy Owl about 5 miles w of Coulee City
10:17PM Nov 9 - Steve Dang(sp) 368-6887. Today out at Sequim from the Oyster
Factory looking out towards Dungeness Spit there were 5 Snowy Owls.
11:11AM Nov 10 - Hi. This is Rachel Lawson at 282-5593.
I live on Queen Anne
and there is a Snowy Owl on the top of my roof this morning on Nov 10. You
can see it- sort of - from the street. So if people want to come, they can
just come and stand in front of my house and see it. I live on Queen Anne at
411 West Prospect St. Thats on the south slope of Queen Anne. Thats all. Bye.
10-12PM Nov 10 - Hello. This is David Nelson from San Francisco along with
Steve Metz from Tulsa having a nice weekend trip to Washington State. We were
birding central Washington on Saturday afternoon, highway 20 {transcribers
note: probably referring to US 2} at milepost 182 at Atkins Lake which is a
few miles west of Coulee Dam. We saw two immature Snowy Owls and about 2
miles east of Atkins Lake as we were dropping down in elevation to Coulee Dam
we saw one more immature Snowy Owl. I guess they're out there across the
state. Good birding, Bye.
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 10:50:08 -0800 (PST)
From: "S. Downes"
Yesterday after seeing the Snowy Owl on the West 90, we had a peregrine on
Sunset along with 23 trumpeter swans. At 3:30 we also had a dark phase
gryfalcon on Sunset about halfway betwwen Thomas rd. and Farm to Market
Rd. It was sitting on a fence gate about 80 yards out.
From: Roxie Paine
There was a Snowy Owl at the Dungeness Spit Nov 11. The bird was being
harrassed by a No. Harrier as we came upon it, just past the two mile
marker, on the bay side of the Spit. The Snowy was very active the entire
time we observed it, moving from log to log. It was quite beautiful in
flight, but what I really loved was looking at it's black toenails through
the scope!
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 10:05:33 -0700
From: Ed Schulz
There was a Snowy Owl present both Sat and Sun at the North Access to the
Skagit Habitat Management Area. It was in the driftwood piles south of
the road. Sunday it had moved about 1/4 mile south into the area marked
by the Skagit Gun Club. It did not have a green marking so was not the
one treated at WP Zoo. I watched it for several hours both days and did
not appear to be hunting, just sedentary, preening and looking around,
catnapping and avoiding occassional harrassment by Northern Harriers.
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 96 10:14:13 PST
From: Dean Wampler
Around 1:00 yesterday, several observers watched a Snowy Owl perched on a
post at the "West 90" bend (West of Edison). It did not appear to have
any green markings of the bird released by the zoo. However, it was quite
foggy, so colors were hard to perceive. It was not far from the road, so
it was easy to see with binoculars and quite a sight with a scope.
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 16:27:50 -0600 (CST)
From: Darlene Sybert
FYI...
I passed along the Snowy Owl sightings to a friend on another
non-bird related discussion list because she is living in the
Seattle area. Here is her reply to me this weekend...
While we were out working in the yard raking up leaves and general
clean-up, my son and husband saw one of the owls being chased
by many crows. When they came running around to the front yard and telling
me about this, all I was able to see were the crows in pursuit. We live in
the new city of Shoreline (the north end of Seattle) which borders Edmonds
on our north side. This sighting was at about 3:45. We appreciate you
letting us know so that we knew to be on the look-out.
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 12:18:00 -0800
From: Port Townsend Marine Science Center
The Saturday, November Protection Island birding trip to Protection Island
had the good fortune to spot a somewhat immature Snowy Owl perched on a
branch of a beached log on the very tip of Violet Point, the eastern spit
of the island.
From: Norton360@aol.com
Reply-To: tweeters@u.washington.edu
11:41AM Nov 11 - This is Tom LaVersa(sp?) 782-7342 reporting from Seattle.
It's another Snowy Owl. It's 310 NE 51st Street up on a chimney. I guess it's
across from that on a white house. We have had calls this morning alone of
at least 3 birds around town. So -- this is a bird that is presently at that
location if anyone in town would want to see it. Good Luck!
12:49PM Nov 11 - This is Bill Shelmerdine from Olympia, WA 866-9106. And
today the 11th there were 3 Snowy Owls on the Nisqually NWR and the viewing
area is from the Nisqually Reach Boat Ramp and from the Nisqually Nature
Center and that's off of Meridian Road and DeMuller(sp) Road and not from the
refuge itself. There were also 3 Oldsquaws there and a Peregrine Falcon.
There were Northern Shrikes on the refuge too and just south of the refuge
in the fields and wet areas there was an American Egret. And, by the way, the
Willet is still around the East Bay Marina in Budd Bay in downtown Olympia.
Good luck and good birding.
4:45PM Nov 11 - Hi. This is Dave Beaudette at (206) 365-2083. Today Nov 11
there were 6 Snowy Owls at the Big Ditch Access to the Skagit Wildlife
Recreeation Area and also at the Stanwood Sewage Ponds were an Eared Grebe,
an Oldsquaw and about 35 Long-billed Dowitchers. Bye Bye.
8:52PM Nov 11 - Hello. This is Brett McAllen(sp?) from Seattle at 284-1995
and continuing with the urban Snowy Owl reports, I was heading on the Alaska
Way Viaduct towards Queen Anne about 4:30 and saw a Snowy Owl on the 83 South
King Street Building which is just northwest of the Kingdome. One of those
older brick buildings abutted up directly next to the Alaska Way Viaduct. I
went down to the street level and continued observing and it was still there
until 5PM when I left. Getting quite dark and that's about it. Thanks.
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 21:28:21 -0000
From: "Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney"
Spent the Veteran's Day holiday by canoeing at the mouth of the Nisqually
River. High tide at 6:30am and low tide (mudflats) at about 1230pm.
Perched within 30m of each other on logs at the mouth of the River were
three (3) Snowy Owls!! Cool birds. They remained there from at least 10am
until dark, when one of them flew off to the east. They took no notice of
me as I paddled within about 50m of them; neither crows nor gulls were
bothering them.
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 96 02:35:45 UT
From: BRIAN SCOTT
Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I stopped at the
southern end of 72nd St. in Delta where it butts up against
the dyke at Boundary Bay. We walked up on the dyke and
set up my scope. A 180 degree scan of the bay foreshore
revealed 16 SNOW. A breathtaking sight.
Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
SNOWY OWLS are getting closer to the Tri-Cities. Randy Hill reported a
road killed owl near Basin City on November 12.
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 07:12:39 -0800 (PST)
From: Wes Jansen
On Sunday afternoon we saw one or two at Big Ditch (while enjoying the
company of Snowy and Short-earred owls).
To the south of us, on November 15, Paul Nye (sp?) of Umatilla, OR,
reported
that he had photographed a SNOWY OWL near Ione, OR on 11/12.
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 15:56:48 -0800
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
For those keeping tabs- a road kill Snowy Owl was just reported to the LCBAS
Alert by Randy Hill from Columbia NWR. It was collected in Basin City.
Nov. 12th
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
OREGON BIRD: Ione, OR reported by Paul Nye tuesday 11/12/96
2:39PM Nov 12 - Hi. This is Steve Mlodinow.
Also, at Jetty Island there is a Snowy Owl!. Best viewed
from the Everett Public Boat Launch which is reached from Marine View Drive
to Tess(?) and taking Tess to its end. The Snowy Owl was visible in the area
where the Scotch Broom is relatively thin. You're looking across through a
little bit of a fence in an area that was originally fenced off hoping to
entice terns to breed. Looks like it's probably an adult bird. Very little
black flecking. That's it. Good luck and good birding.
6:11PM Nov 12 - Hello. This is Dave Beaudette at (206) 365-2083. Today Nov 12
birded the area between Auburn and Enumclaw in King Co. A Snowy Owl was seen
on a fence post in a horse pasture southeast of the intersection of 196 Ave.
SE and SE 416 St. Bye Bye.
7:18PM Nov 12 - Hi. This is Jack Stevens from Edmonds (206) 742-8721. Today
on the 12th there were 5 Snowy Owls at the Big Ditch Access in north
Snohomish Co. just north of Stanwood, another Snowy Owl and a Pacific Golden
Plover in a flock of mixed Dunlin and Black-bellied Plovers at the west 90.
The Snowy Owls are life birds for me. I'm still working on the Gyrfalcon.
Thanks.
Tony Greager received a
call from Dave Abbott reporting an immature owl south of Kahlotus on
November 12. Lastly Mary Lilga received a call from Heath Brown who saw
an adult owl east of Eureka in Walla Walla county on November 7. Keep an
eye out for these handsome visitors from the north.
3:49PM Nov 13, 1996 - This is Bob Sundstrom 762-4327 reporting for Nov 13th
Big Ditch Access, Skagit Wildlife Area. There were 5 Snowy Owls on the
driftwood beyond the dike. There was also one pale Peregrine Falcon, 1
Merlin, 1 Northern Shrike and lots of the other more common raptors. Thats
all for now.
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 1996 22:12:52 -0800
From: "William R. Applegate"
Many more snowy owls have been described on NW Whidbey Island the past few
days. I will send the precise locations to Kelly Cassidy. Bob Merrick
observed some interesting behavior this afternoon which he asked that I
pass on to the Tweeters. Between 3 and 4 PM he was observing the snowy owl
at the E end of Keystone Spit, Fort Casey State Park. (There is another
snowy owl at the W end of the spit.) The owl was down among the driftwood
logs looking about, but otherwise inactive. There was a rough-legged hawk
and there were several harriers flying over and about it, but the snowy
owl showed no interest. Then 2 short-eared owls approached from the N.
When they were about 200 meters away the snowy hopped up to the tallest
perch and mantled (partially unfolded it's wings, stretched tall, and
leaned forward). The short-eared owls beat a hasty retreat. Interesting
behavior!
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 10:25:52 -0800
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Another east side Snowy Owl: 3rd reported to the LCBAS alert - seen on 11/7
east of Eureka WA, Walla Walla county (DeLorme page 40, B-4, section
unknown) on a fencepost in a stubble field. Observer: Heath Brown
Date: Thu, 14 Nov 1996 10:30:57 -0800 (PST)
From: Dale Goble
The N Idaho/E Washington RBA tape (which is in my closet) has a report of
3 immature Snowy Owls on highway 2 west of Coulee City in Douglas County.
Nov. 14th
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
2 Owls, 4 miles east of Othello reported to Randy Hill of the Columbia
NWR. They were reported to him as being "all white". They were at the
intersection of Billington and Cunningham Roads. 11/14/96
Randy Hill of Othello reported 2 SNOWY OWLS, 4 miles east of Othello on
November 14. The birds were at the junction of Cunningham, which is the
main street in Othello, and Billington Roads.
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 10:56:55 -0500
3:15PM Nov 14 - Steve Dang, 368-6887. This report was a sighting that was
called in to Seattle Audubon today at about 1:30, I guess. A Snowy Owl at
3049 NE 94th. The bird appears to be a young bird. It has a lot of mottling
on it and it's sitting on top of someones roof. It also appears to have a
problem with its right eye. Anyway, the bird has been there, I guess, from
mid morning or so.
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 09:31:19 -0800
From: "James R Lyles III, Technical Editor, Tacoma, WA "
Today's Tacoma newspaper, _The News Tribune_, features a large
photo of a female Snowy Owl gripping a freshly defunct rabbit
and a caption saying that we're having the "biggest incursion
of the swivelheaded, hazel-eyed creatures here in nearly 25
years."
The photo, on page B-1, was taken yesterday in a Parkland field
near the intersection of 123rd Street South and Ainsworth Avenue
South.
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 96 08:25:22
From: Rick Romea
I stopped by the Seattle Audubon Society Office yesterday (Nov. 14, 2
PM) and everyone had run out (twitched?) to see a Snowy Owl, so I went
over too. The owl was sitting on the roof of a single story house
near 94th Street and 32nd Ave, in Wedgewood, about 50 ft away. Really
amazing!
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 1996 11:49:53 -0800 (PST)
From: 'Dan' Daniel Victor
I just heard from Bud that Ernie Rose spotted the Snowy that was rehabbed
at Woodland park. It's got green paint on the back of it's head. It was
near the 'West 90' of Samish Flats yesterday.
5:04PM Nov 15 - Eric Mandell(sp?) 324-3174. Mid morning today was up at the
Skagit Wildlife Area. As reported before, at the Big Ditch Access Road, you
can walk down and along the dike and see the 5 Snowy Owls. They were out and
prominent. In addition, near there there is a mobile home resort.
From: SueHoover@aol.com
Nov 15 Peregrine Falcon at Atkins Lake, also Snowy Owl
Sue Hoover
509-884-3272
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 1996 11:00:19 -0800
From: Mike Patterson
SNOWY OWL:Fort Stevens-11/16/96 (fwd)
Not to be out done by those north and south of Clatsop Co. I managed to
find a SNOWY OWL (a mostly pure white one) on the bay side of the road
between Parking Lots A and B right behind the ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise 1) Nov. 16, 1 bird, 30
miles west of Colfax on Highway 26, reported by Carl and Nita Higby
From: Don Cecile
On november 16th a snowy owl was seen at the Tofino Airport on the west
coast of vancouver island. Possibly the same bird was seen one day
earlier
on a beach of one of the nearby islands. So much for their often-cited
fear
of flying over water! The following day, the bird was not to be found, it
would appear that this bird has not yet found suitable habitat.
From: Hughbirder@aol.com Sat. 16 Nov. At the west 90 we
saw two snowy
owls, At the Big Ditch Access, we saw six Snowy Owls and in a few minutes
of sunshine got some good looks at the beautiful birds. Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
Observers Sean & Susan O'Donnell
Seen on 16 November, about 4 PM
Big Ditch area
5 or 6 snowy owls present, in open marsh, perched on dead snags.
Little flight activity.
11/16/96: 6 snowy owls in the Skagit Flats area west of Mt. Vernon;
all were isolated individuals, generally 200 yards or more
from the nearest road, sitting on the ground, a low fence
post, or in 1 case the top of a dike. Didn't realize that
one of them may have been banded/marked, but too far to
see any bands in any case.
1 of the owls was on Fir Island, about 1/2 mile S. of Rawlins
Road, and about 200 yards e. of Fir Island Road.
The other 5 were all in the vicinity of the "west 90" south
of Samish Island, west of the Bayview-Edison Road.
Regards,
Don McCall
mccall@cayman.ds.boeing.com
From: Norton360@aol.com
Nov. 16 a SnOw was seen near the lighthouse at Point Wilson by Paul
Conklin and Ruth Merryman in Jefferson Co (near Port Townsend).
Tom Foote Nov. 16
Jim Pruske called me Sat pm to tell me he saw 2 Snowy
Owls fly by his living room window..one chasing the other..
in OLY..he lives on the east side of I-5 up on the hill
south and east and about 10 minutes from
NWR..
>From Norton360@aol.com
I saw one SnOw on a log raft off Ediz Hook Nov. 16th. I looked with
binoculars yesterday and saw none. The one on the 16th was different from
the
one I had seen there in Oct. (much more black on it with the upper cheeks,
forehead and crown being completely white tapering to a point on the
posterior part of the crown - striking). R6W, T31N, Section 22.
On 11/16, Carl and Nita Higby found a SNOWY OWL along Highway 26 about 30
miles west of Colfax. Hopefully one will show up locally in the near
future.
11/16/96
Erin and Bill Woods
One owl
The N-S portion of Maupin Road, just south of Rawlins Road on
Fir Island in Skagit County T33 R03E S16
From: "Susan L. Collicott" Nov. 17: I
spent Sunday up in the icy north - Samish/Skagit area. We managed to find
*8* Snowy Owls! It took a lot of time, and even with a scope some of them
were hard to see.
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 1996 18:14:13 -0800 From: Arlen Fletcher
Caught a good view of the Snowy Owl that has the
green marking on the top/back of it's head. At 3:45pm today it was almost
due south of the "West 90" on the Samish Flats, about 500 yards off the
road sitting on a wooden fence post. The green marking on the head was
very obvious through the spotting scope when the bird looked down.
From: Paul Cozens
SNOWY OWLS continue to be widely reported.
and Boundary
Bay produced 16 on the 17th.
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 1996 22:25:26 -0000
From: "Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney"
I saw 3 Snowy Owls on Monday 11 November 1996 at the Mouth of the
Nisqually River. All of the birds were perched on large 'drift' logs in
the marsh on the east side of the river mouth, and all were within 75m of
each other throughout most of the day. One bird flew off toward the east
before dusk, but the other 2 remained where they were until at least 4:30
p.m.
12:41 PM Nov 17 - Hi, this is David Buckley and I'm right by the Kingdome.
I just wanted to call in a Snowy Owl that's at Pier 36 right off Alaska
Way, 1519 Alaska Way. It's sitting on the north corner of the building
right off Alaska. We can get really good looks at it. It's right there off
the street and it's pouring rain so bring an umbrella or a raincoat if you
come.
12:56PM Nov 17 - This is Ruth Sullivan, Tacoma, (206) 564-7409. Today,
after two days of searching, I found three Snowy Owls looking towards the
[Nisqually] Refuge. Also there was one Oldsquaw there. Also at the Port of
Olympia was a Willet. A good sighting.
Also the report on Tweeters this week that there was a Snowy Owl at
123rd South next to the high school is incorrect. This particular picture
in the Tacoma newspaper was taken on the 2nd of November. Thank you very
much. Bye.
Harry Nehls, Portland, Or. hnehls@teleport.com (503) 233-3976 On November
17 another SNOWY OWL was on Broughton Beach along the Columbia River. It
was just east of the public boat Ramps along Marine Drive in North
Portland. This area is at the northwest corner of the Portland Airport.
Harry Nehls, Portland, Or. hnehls@teleport.com (503) 233-3976 Nov. 17th
Another SNOWY OWL is off Highway 99E about ten miles south of Albany.
Turn east off 99E in Tangent onto Birdfoot Drive. The road makes several
sharp turns as it runs southward and to the east. After the turn to the
south just past the school house watch for the bird on the west side of
the road. On page 53 of the Delorme Atlas the location of the owl is at
"Grell Airport".
10:50PM Nov 17 - Hi, this is Yvonne Bombardier at (206) 348-8845. Today Ed
Schulz (sp?), Chris Hill and I canoed over to Jetty Island in Everett. We
located three Snowy Owls. These owls were on the west side of the island
and were not visible from the Everett Boat Launch. We also observed two
Peregrine Falcons, three to four Red-taled Hawks, two Northern Harriers
and four Bald Eagles. Also on the island were two Horned Larks and a
possible Snow Bunting. Good luck and good birding.
12:08PM Nov 18 - This is Herb Curl at 524-5750. There's
an adult Snowy Owl perched on a chimney in the "U" district at 4743 17th
Ave NE and all you have to do is follow the sound of the hysterical crows
and you'll locate it, just in case its moved on. At the [message cut off]
v
Lee Miller, Oroville: Nov. 18th a Snowy Owl was on Hwy 9 near Ellesford.
Date: 11/18/96
Observer: David Buckley
One adult female
On Pier 36 (Coast Guard facility) SW of Kingdome.
1519 Alaska Way
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 14:45:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Catherine Fryer
There was a picture of a snowy owl on the rooftop of a house on Roseberry
Avenue in Victoria, BC this morning in today's Times Colonist newspaper.
I
then phoned the Victoria Natural History Society's RBA and they reported
one
seen flying over John Dean Park on Sunday which is near the Victoria
Airport.
19 Nov. kkalimo@direct.ca Tuesday morning around 7am I counted 11 SnOw at
the foot of 72nd Street in Ladner at the Boundry Bay foreshore. Ken
Klimko, Richmond, BC
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 17:54:20 PDT
From: Herb Curl
We've had a SNOW in the "U" District on 17th Ave. NE between 47th & 50th
sts., sitting on roof tops & chimneys, and being mobbed by crows, plus one
gull. At 1530 today it must have gotten tired of the mobbing and it took
off
flying between buildings, ending up flying toward the SE and Ravenna Park.
Its flight was fast & very direct; not bouncy the way Short-eared Owls
are,
even when being mobbed. The long, pointed wings and flight reminded me of
a large gull in a hurry.
Nov. 20From: BirdAHikes@aol.com
Subject: Snowy Owl in Moxee Area
Debie Brown called me to say she has a Snowy on the hill behind her place.
For those of you who know Konnowac Pass and Ladybird Peak (and you have a
very high clearance 4-WD vehicle), take the road to Ladybird Peak until
you
are above the first ranch on the road below and then get out and search
between you and the ranch for the Snowy. If you don't know it, it's T12N,
R19E, S13, NE1/4, SE1/41/4 on the DeLorme. The 20 inches of snow will
make
it RATHER difficult to drive there. You could also go to Debie's in the
same
kind of vehicle described above and she'll point it out. She's at 420
Meadowlark, Moxee (the "first ranch" described above).
Maia Kelly, Selah,WA
-------------
From : bflanner@olypen.com Brian, Christine &
Carly Flanner & Ray Knox are the 4 people who saw a Snowy Owl standing on
the beach at Fort Worden in Port Townsend
within a couple of days November 20, 1996
Boundary Bay near Vancouver B.C. continues to host 16 SNOWY OWLS as of
the
November 22nd.
There are still numerous SNOWY OWL sightings in Washington. Big Ditch
appears
to be the
best place currently for multiple birds.
Paul Cozens
wcozens@earthlink.net
From Norton360@aol.com
Yesterday at Ediz Hook(Nov 22), I had a Snowy Owl and from the amount
of
white on it I feel it is a third individual.
Yesterday at Ediz Hook (Nov 22), Bonnie Thompson reports 2 SnOw's. (I
must have missed one). Both of hers and mine were on the usually favored
log
raft.
From: Bbsenturia@aol.com
Big Ditch is located north of Stanwood. To get there, take I-5 north to
Exit
212 (Stanwood/Rte 532). Before you enter Stanwood, take a right turn just
before crossing the railroad. I can't remember the exact signage, but it
is
the main route north to Conway. About 2 miles along this road, another
road
joins from the left (Old Pioneer Highway) Right at this intersection there
is
a primitive road (some big potholes) heading out to the shoreline. It is
signed on the left Big Ditch.Drive to the end.
Two weeks ago I saw 5 SNOW there, but last Thursday (11/21) there was only
one.
We heard from Mike and MerryLynn Denny that they saw a SNOW south of Moses
Lake on 11/23. They said it was in the usual place
(maybe near the
intersection of I-90 and Rt 17 ???) but that's all the information we
have.
We asked them to send you details, but if they don't, at least you have
this
much.
Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra@oneworld.owt.com
On Saturday, 23 November, 1996, fellow birder Alan Clark watched a Snowy
Owl fly in from the west with crows following and perch on a house at the
corner of 18th and Marion in Seattle for ten or 15 minutes around 10 + a.
m., subsequently flying roughly westward.
Alan Grenon
agrenon@kent.wednet.edu
Seattle
Dale Goble
On November 23, southeast of Moses Lake, WA, the Denny's saw a
single SHORT-EARED OWL along road 2 SE, and a SNOWY OWL along
road L SE between road 3 SE and road 4 SE. WA DeLorme p. 69, D7.
From: Ed Schulz
Nov. 23rd Subject: snowys at night
However, about
midnight I spotted one Snowy sitting on a driftwood perch, looking pretty
much the way they do in the day. When it saw that I was watching it, it
flew out over the mudflats and landed on a piling. After about ten
minutes it flew again and flew low over some ducks out at the water's
edge.
The tide was low at the time, quite a ways out, and I couldn't tell what
kind of ducks they were. The owl perched again on another piling for
about another ten minutes and then flew back to the island, over me and
landed on a piling on the east side of the island, across from the Everett
Marina. After a while there, it flew again and I lost sight of it as it
dropped low beneath the crest of the riprap. By the time I climbed up the
riprap in the dark, the bird was gone. Later about 1:30am I spotted a
Snowy on a large stump in the water off the west side of the island.
Although I did not see any hunting attempts, it was my impression that the
birds tended to be more active at night and moved around more. I don't
know for sure if there was one or more birds. Chris had seen two owls on
Jetty earlier in the day and I saw one Sunday afternoon.
From: "H. Opperman"
Up to five SNOWY OWLS were
observed north and west of the Bayview-Edison and Samish Island Road, and
one SNOWY OWL was observed at the Jensen access.
Probably others have reported these, however as you say
there are now fewer reports ... how soon we become blase'.
Two Snowy Owls seen at noon, 11/23/96 (another Saturday),
at the Big Ditch access.
None seen at Jensen access, 11 AM, same day.
Alan Richards / alanr@orednet.org
Paul Cozens
and 7 were
seen at Dungeness on the 23rd.
7:58PM Nov 23 - Hi, Ed Deal in Seattle at 723-4742. Today a walk out
Dungeness Spit turned up 7 Snowy Owls and 5 Snow Buntings. Most of them at
the junction of Graveyard and Dungeness Spit.
6:48PM Nov 23 - David Buckley in Seattle, 937-2541. Today Jim
Ellingbow(sp?),
Gene Drugge(sp?) and I birded from Samish to Stanwood. Birds included 12
Snow
Buntings at March Point at the end of the road by the oil refinery, an
immature Snowy Owl at the North Access to the Skagit Refuge and 2 Snowy
Owls
at Big Ditch
From: SueHoover@aol.com
Snowy Owl on Wenatchee Heights, seen by Rose Applegate Sunday Nov 24, sw
of
and above Wenatchee. Owl was being dive bombed by Ravens, made the dogs
bark,
owl flew up and sat on post. Rose said the bird, at about 200 yards,
looked
all white, but when she looked with binoculars, there were alot of dark
spots. Then the owl flew out of sight.
From Norton360@aol.com
Nov. 24. Carol
Strohmeyer and I went to Big Ditch on that date.
Probably 5, but maybe as many as 7 or as few as 4.
As of today (November 24) there are Oregon Snowy Owls at:
Portland
Salem ;
Tangent (south of Albany) ;
Peoria (east of Corvallis) ;
Coos Bay spit ;
Tillamook (Bayocean spit) - at least 2 birds ; maybe 4
South Jetty of the Columbia ;
plus one killed by car near Portland airport.
Alan Contreras
acontrer@navicom.com
4:06PM Nov 24 - Scott Atkinson here (360) 691-7232.
Then south to the Jenson
Access to Skagit WMA, 1 Snowy Owl out on the driftwood.
6:48PM Nov 24 - This is Barry Levine calling from Seattle and the number
is
(206) 526- 8676. I took a trip up to Boundry Bay today and Tsawwassen
looking for the Spotted Redshank. The Spotted Redshank was NOT spotted
today.
The last time it was seen was on Thursday and they are not really sure at
this point whether it indeed is a Spotted Redshank. So if you're planning
on
going up there you'll probably want to get in touch with the Vancouver
Alert
and see whether it has been seen recently. At Boundry Bay there were at
least
10 Short-eared Owls and 2 Snowy Owls that I saw. Thanks and good birding.
4 Snowy Owls at Samish Flats on 11/25/96 at the west 90
at 1400.
Gayle Benton
Eastsound, Wa
gbenton@pacificrim.net
Paul Cozens
SNOWY OWLS continue to be found regularly. This week 5 have been within a
mile
of the junction of
Bayview-Edison Rd. and Samish Island Rd. 7 were seen at Damon Point near
Ocean
Shores on Nov. 25th,
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 1996 22:08:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Betty Estes
Reply-To: tweeters@u.washington.edu
To: tweeters@u.washington.edu
Subject: SNOW at Ocean Shores
Glen and Wanda Hoge reported that they birded Ocean Shores today
and found seven Snowy Owls on Damon Point. They went to the pond to the
right (as you go toward the tip) of Damon Point Road, then took a path
leading south to the water, and that's where they found the owls.
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 10:16:39 -0800 (PST)
From: Gayle Benton
7:00 p.m. November 26th - Hi. This is Bill Rathman (?), phone number is
206-454-1707. My wife and I were up at Big Ditch today and wanted to
report that there's still two SNOWY OWLS present.
1:41 p.m. November 27th - Hi, this is Steve Mlodinow.
there're still five SNOWY OWLS around the West 90 in the Samish Flats.
That's it.
From: Dennis Paulson
At the West 90 on the Samish Flats on 28 Nov, there were 4 Snowy Owls,
including probably the most heavily marked immature I've ever seen and 3
much whiter-looking birds. No green head (except on the Mallards).
Raptors abounded, with 3-4 Short-eared Owls feeding at once (midday),
untold numbers of Red-tails, Rough-legs, harriers, and eagles, a Merlin
and
a beautiful adult male Peregrine.
11:36 a.m. November 28th - This is Allan Galbraith from
Lake Stevens,
Washington. I'd like to report on this fine Thanksgiving Day we saw a
SNOWY OWL just a hundred yards from our house which is not far from the
bus barn for Lake Stevens on Highway 9.
jbroadus@seanet.com
Wednesday was too crummy, but Thursday (Turkey day) Nov. 28 afternoon and
all day
Friday were good experiences at Skagit-Samish flats. Fir
Island was flooded with Trumpeters, and there were six snowies at the west
90
below Samish Island. One was surely the same heavily barred immature that
Dennis mentioned, hanging in close to the road and light enough to sit on
a
drive in the ground fence post like a rough leg will do.
Date: Fri, 29 Nov 1996 18:42:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Thomas Cotner
This morning I kayaked over to Jetty Island for a delightfully peaceful 2
hours of birdwatching. The highlights were a single SNOWY OWL
Nov. 29th,
Friday went by the same 90 several times and the same (I'm sure) owl
became
the most looked at snowie in Western Wash, by spending the whole day on
top
of the barns right at the bend in the road.
Name: Jerry Broadus
jbroadus@seanet.com
Fri, 29 Nov 1996
As it was still only 10 A.M., I decided to stop by Spencer Island and was
immediately rewarded with another SNOWY OWL. The bird was approximately
80 yards to the south and 30 yards to the east of the barn that is
directly across the bridge onto the island. SNOWY OWLS, if left
undisturbed, seem not to move around much during the day. This bird
remained in the general vicinity for over 2 hours and hopefully it will
stay for a while and provide some of you yet another excuse to visit
Spencer Island!
Cheers,
Tom Cotner
9:32 a.m. November 29th - This is David Beatty in Hoquiam. On Friday
November 29th at about 8:30 in the morning there were at least five SNOWY
OWLS still at Damon Point in Ocean Shores. They are just south and east
of the pond at Damon Point.
6:23 p.m. November 29th - Paul Hicks from Tenino, area code 360-264-2462.
Today at Nisqually a SNOWY OWL was seen by myself and Bernie and Louise
Martel.
Nov. 29th
We hit 72nd St at Boundary Bay and stopped counting at 30 Snowy Owls
all within a very small area. Awesome.
Douglas F. Daily
ddaily@u.washington.edu
11:46 p.m. November 29th - Hi. This is Carolee Coulter in Seattle. On
Thanksgiving Day I walked out to Dungeness Spit and near the junction with
Graveyard Spit saw an immature SNOWY OWL. Also ran into other people who
reported more SNOWY OWLS further out on Graveyard Spit.
Paul Cozens wcozens@earthlink.net SAS Hotline: 5 at Big Ditch on the 29th.
1 at Nisqually on the 29th.
From: Dennis Paulson
But for a real treat, check out the end of 72nd St. on Boundary Bay in
B.C., where there were at least *24* Snowy Owls visible at once on 29 Nov,
also one flying Short-eared. The really surprising thing was that all
were
west of the road end, all south of the levee; we saw not a single one
east,
nor in the fields north of the levee, nor at the end of 88th St. or
anywhere else in the area. They were amazingly clumped, with 10 in one
scope field and several instances of birds perching virtually next to one
another on a log.
On Sat. 11/30, there were 8 owls total seen. 6 were near
the intersection
of Graveyard Spit with the main spit, and another two were seen flying
past the lighthouse. I thought that they were all adults except one of the
pair that flew past the lighthouse to the tip of the spit. The 6 were all
in the same field of view. They can be seen from the top of the beach
embankment, but not from the water's edge. A marking place is a group of
very large sawn off stumps that have drifted onto the edge of the beach.
They were about 200-300 yards back toward the mainland from those stumps.
There is also a small flock of 10-20 snow buntings where the owls are.
Tom Weir
weir@u.washington.edu
(206)747-8480
Date: Sat, 30 Nov 96 19:13:45 PSTP+0000
From: Kelley Ward
Subject: another Snowy Owl (Lewis county)
I know this is getting a little old, but these birds are AWESOME!!!
Kelley and I decided to search for a Snowy Owl near the wetlands around
the
Centralia Mining Company today, and we were successful!! There was one
rather white (that is, not heavily barred with gray), very cooperative
SNOWY
OWL in the grassy field just beyond the mine.
To reach the location of the owl, take I-5 into Centralia, Exit 81 Mellen
St. Hwy. 507. From the freeway, go easterly (toward town) on Hwy. 507 (if
coming from the north, make a left). About 1.0 miles from I-5, turn left
(north) on Tower Ave.(this is still Hwy 507). Continue north on Hwy. 507
for another 3.5 miles, just across a bridge over the Skookumchuk River, to
for another 3.5 miles, just across a bridge over the Skookumchuk River, to
Big Hanaford Road. Turn right (east) onto Big Hanaford Road for 5.2
miles.
(See DeLorme p. 46 C2.) This will take you directly into the Centralia
Mining Company Mine and Steam Plant area. (This route is fairly well
marked. Watch for "Hwy.507" and "Centralia Steam Plant" signs.) Continue
beyond the main industrial building and just past the "shipping and
receiving" sign there is a large grassy field on the left. This is where
we
initially saw the owl. After a few minutes, it flew back toward some of
the
smaller buildings and perched there for a while.
David Ward
Centralia, WA
ward@localaccess.com
Date: 11-30-96 Time:16:15 - 16:45
Observers: Kelley and David Ward
Number of owls: 1
Comments: The owl was seen in the field immediately beyond the Centralia
Mining Company Plant on Big Hanaford Road, just outside Centralia
Washington
(Lewis County). This is located in the DeLorme Atlas p. 46 C2. (I'm
sorry,
I don't know the township, range, or section.) Exact directions will be
posted on Tweeters.
The owl itself appeared slightly brighter white with less gray barring on
the chest and belly than the other Snowy's that were at Big Ditch 3 weeks
ago (these are the only other Snowy's I've seen). The back did have a
moderate amount of gray/black coloring, however. The facial disk also
seemed pale white with little gray or black. The bird was initially seen
in
a grassy field (about 50 yards away)and was observed there for about 5
minutes. It was then frightened and flew about 100 yards to a low post
(about5-6 feet high). We then moved closer and once again were within 50
or
so yards. It perched there another 5 or so minutes, then flew about 20
yards out into the field and pounced onto something on the ground. It
stayed on the ground for 2 - 3 minutes before flying back to the low post,
without anything in it's talons. We then observed it for about 15 more
minutes before the light conditions got too bad. As we were about to
leave,
it then flew about 25 yards to the top of a telephone pole. AWESOME
BIRD!!!
From: Harry Nehls
A SNOWY OWL was seen along Highway 19, about 27 miles south of Arlington
November 30. It was seen again the next day in the same area.
From: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise Subject: Lower Columbia
Basin Alert On November 30, Ron and Carol Louderback stopped to photograph
2 SHORT-EARED OWLS at the junction of Foley and LeMaster Roads about 4
miles northeast of Othello and flushed a SNOWY OWL in the process.
From: "Lisa M. Smith"
11:02 p.m. 12-01-96: Sam Terry at 206/329-9038. Today,
December first,
there were five or six SNOWY OWLS at Big Ditch.
Paul Cozens
wcozens@earthlink.net SAS Hotline :
6 at West 90 on the Dec. 1st.
WOS birdbox; From: "Lisa M. Smith" ;
4:41 p.m. 12-03-96: Patrick Sullivan reporting from
Tacoma, Washington.
Birding at Ocean Shores today at selected sites included: At Damon Point,
11 SNOWY OWLS were observed, along with 3 LAPLAND LONGSPURS. The SNOWY
OWLS were observed just to the southeast of the main pond at Damon Point.
Also, at the Ocean Shores game range, 1 SNOWY OWL and 1 PRAIRIE FALCON
[were] observed between 2 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. at the north part of the game
range at Ocean Shores.
NEW REPORT 3 DEC DAMON PT. 1600hrs
I met a couple of birders leaving they reported 7 snowy in a group in the
middle of the point. i went out and found 3. it was about 1600 and the
birds
seen to be moving about. a flying bird displacing a perched individual.
watched the perched bird slice so went over to check it's dropping.
normal
color and consistency for a healthy bird.
From: "William H. Lawrence"
Dec. 3rd When my friend and I were there on Tuesday we saw one Snowy Owl.
It was in a field to the left just before the parking lot. It was at the
very back of the field and we really needed a scope to have seen details
(which we didn't have just our binocs). It was sitting on a post. Donna
Ferrill Brdr1@aol.com Mukilteo/CleElum, WA
Dec. 4th
Rod Bullier called me today to report that a SNOWY OWL was seen at parking
lot C this morning. Rod Described the bird as all white. It is probably
the same bird seen 3 weeks ago, though where it's been hiding is a mystery
to me.
SJCR= South Jetty of the Columbia River, Parking Lot C, Ft Stevens St Pk.
Clatsop Co. OR
Mike Patterson
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 1996 02:15:36 -0700
From: Harry Nehls
The SNOWY OWL near Tangent appears to be the only consistent SNOWY in the
Willamette Valley. It remains on the irrigation pipes in a large open
field. In the town of Tangent turn east off of Highway 99E onto Birdfoot
Lane. Cross the railroad tracks, follow the road as it turns right, then
left. Past the school the road turns right again. The bird is on the right
just past the turn.
Hello. I received reports from several other people that a "large white
owl" spent most of the day on Thursday, 5 December 1996, on the roofs of
two buildings on University Way (The Ave) NE, between 41st and 42nd NE
in Seattle. The observers were in the School of Social Work building on
15th Av. NE between 41st and 42nd NE; they looked west toward University
Way, across the alley between 15th NE and University Way NE.
One observer told me she watched the owl from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M.,
including seeing it fly from one building to the next. Another observer
said that the owl stayed on the roof(s) till 6 P.M. on 12/5/96.
I never saw the bird and didn't hear of the sighting till about 6:30
last evening. I'm assuming it was a Snowy Owl. One observer described
the bird as having dark spots on its back and head. Everyone seemed
sure it was an owl. No one mentioned crows harrassing it. --Anna
Coles, Seattle (UW), WA acoles@u.washington.edu
A SNOWY OWL was found December 6 near the South Jetty of
the Siuslaw River
in Oregon Stop at the third parking lot after the jetty road turns north,
then walk the dike. Harry Nehls, Portland, Or. hnehls@teleport.com (503)
233-3976
Subject: Columbia Estuary Report - 12/7/96
The Lower Columbia Birders weathered the absolutely miserable weather
(cold icky rain) to list the SNOWY OWL at parking lot C, Fort Stevens
StPk. It looks to be the same bird that was first seen 3 weeks ago
(white head, grayish looking shoulders).
From: Mike Patterson
Date: Sun, 8 Dec 1996
From: Bob Mauritsen
We saw nine snowy owls at the West 90 today, of which 2.5 appeared to be
immature. Five of them were more or less bunched up at the meeting of the
fence lines, and another flew in to be with them, while we were down the
fence line gawking, to make six relatively close together. The one that
flew in was beautiful to watch, and huge in the air.
On December 9 a SNOWY OWL was observed about 3/4 of mile
west of the mountain locator turnout along Highway 206 between Wasco and
Condon in Oregon. Harry Nehls, Portland, Or. hnehls@teleport.com (503)
233-3976
7:26 p.m. 12-09-96: Dave Beaudette, 206-365-2083. In Snohomish County, a
single SNOWY OWL was at the Big Ditch access to the Skagit Wildlife-
Recreation Area.
From: "Lisa M. Smith"
Subject: Today at the Samish Flats
Today, 10 Dec, at 12:15 at the west 90 there were :
7 Snowy Owls, 4 along the fence south of the barn, 2 in the field west
of the barn, and 1 in the field northwest of the shed. The 4 along the
fence included the one marked with green paint (released by Seattle Zoo)
for which I managed to get pictures.
From: Brian Bell
At the Big Ditch access on the Dec. 11th were 9 BOHEMIAN
WAXWINGS feeding in Hawthorns. Also on the 11th at Big Ditch were 6 Snowy
Owls. Paul Cozens wcozens@earthlink.net
6:12 p.m. 12-11-96: Bob Sunstrom, 762-4327, reporting for December 11th.
On the Skagit Flats, along Best Road west of
Best Road and north of McLean, 6 SNOWY OWLS along the fence line. At the
West 90 on the Samish Flats, 4 SNOWY OWLS. West of Thomas on Sunset, a
dark charcoal-gray GYRFALCON.
From: "Lisa M. Smith" (subplot@u.washington.edu)
12-11-96: Tom Aversa, 782-7342, reporting for today, Samish
Flats. There were 6 SNOWY OWLS on the West 90. One of these birds was the
green-marked bird on the top of the head, the bird that was released by
the Zoo about a month ago.
From: "Lisa M. Smith" (subplot@u.washington.edu)
From: MEYER2J@aol.com
Saw 3 Snowy Owls today, Dec. 13, at the West 90
Did not see any at the Big Ditch.
Spent the day [Fri., Dec. 13th] recreating - canoed around the Nisqually
delta. Note that canoeing in 20-knot winds is something that I should
either do more often or less often... I know, now, which muscles are used
to buck the wind.
I saw 2 snowy owls - one about 1/2 way between Luhr Beach and the mouth of
the river and the other about 1/4 of the way between the Refuge
observation tower and the river's mouth. Both spent most of the day
sitting on logs, occasionally making little forays to another
log/fencepost, then returning. Canoed within about 20 yards of one of
them. Amazingly beautiful birds.. is it their relative rarity here that
makes them seem so special? From: "Jon. Anderson and Marty Chaney"
festuca@olywa.net
[Dec 13, 1996] One Snowy Owl (not green), heavily marked immature,
sitting on a fence post at easy 30X distance, accompanied by a
Rough-legged Hawk two posts down displaying a great white-based tail and a
nice belly band. It was bitterly cold and windy, so I wonder if the
Snowy's buddies were hunkered down out of sight. Northern Harriers about.
Jerry Blinn 76506.3100@CompuServe.COM
Subject: Washington BirdBox
10:41 a.m. 12-13-96: This is Tom Aversa again. Listen, there's a SNOWY OWL
at the Seattle Times at the corner of John and Fairview. The bird is there
*right now* if anybody wants to see it. Thank you.
Transcribed by Lisa M. Smith
subplot@u.washington.edu
2:36 p.m. 12-14-96: Ed Deal in Seattle, 723-4742. This
morning at Skagit Wildlife area headquarters, the NORTHERN WATERTHRUSH was
again present. Also up on Skagit Flats, north of McLean Road and west of
Best Road, 3 SNOWY OWLS on a fence post. Up on the Samish Flats at the
West 90, 2 SNOWY OWLS and 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS. And along Bayview-Edison
Road on the flats, a heavily streaked, brown GYRFALCON. Good luck and good
birding.
Transcribed by Lisa M. Smith subplot@u.washington.edu
Dec. 14th
On a short trip on Saturday afternoon to the West 90:
South of the road, 3 Snowy Owls :
From: Ted Becker monroe@accessone.com
14 Dec. 1996
This morning at the Samish there were 4 Snowy Owls at the West 90 at
about 9:15, two rather dark juveniles and two lighter birds.
Brian H. Bell bellasoc@isomedia.com
Dec 15, 1996
Subject: Skagit Sunday,
Rather ugly day weatherwise, but good day for the birds. At the west 90
on Samish Island Road there were 6 SNOW's including Ol' Green Head. Also
in that vicinity were 1 Harlan's Hawk, a Short-eared Owl, and a Peregrine
on Bayview-Edison, just before it heads into the town of Edison.
Barry Levine (levineb@belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us)
4:36pm 12-15-96: Hi this is Jim Flynn at 206.772.5568. Scott Downes and I
were birding at the Big Ditch Access just north of Stanwood. In addition
to one SNOWY OWL there was also a SWAMP SPARROW at the end of the trail on
the south side of the marsh. If you go through the gate and take a left
going south through the trees, follow the trail to the end of the trail
where it reaches the water and the bird was at the edge of the marsh
there. Also up at the skagit wildlife management area the WATER THRUST
and at least one WHITE-THROATED SPARROW were present. Thanks a lot, bye
bye. [Washington Birdbox Transcribed by Susan Collicott camel@serv.net]
Also on Dec. 16th at the 90 degree north turn of Samish
Island Road were 6 SNOWY OWLS. [SAS RBA From: Paul Cozens
wcozens@earthlink.net]
6:00pm Dec 17: Hello this is Patrick Sullivan reporting
from Long Beach,
in Pacific County. At the NW
corner of Ledbetter Point, one dark-phased GYRFALCON, 6 SNOWY OWLS, onee
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, one SHORT-EARED OWL and 73 SNOW BUNTINGS were observed.
[WOS BirdBox transcription, "Susan L. Collicott" camel@serv.net]
Dec. 17th(?)
There was a Snowy Owl at the Hinshaw's Acura Body shop in Auburn last
week. [From: Mao4215@aol.com]
Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1996
From: Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com[ Portland RBA ]
The Salem Airport SNOWY OWL continues to be fairly consistent, but the
Tangent bird remains elusive and is missing much of the time.
Dec. 18th, Wednesday afternoon at the "West 90" we found four Snowy Owls;
one on a fense
post to the south, one on the dike to the south, one on the ground to the
west and one on the dike to the west. Three of them had heavy dark bars
and
spots, whereas the fourth bird was lightly marked.
Present at the same time were five Short-eared Owls; four on the row of
fense
posts to the west and one flying.
From: Dan Willsie DANWILLSIE@aol.com
Fri, 20 Dec 1996 There were nine or ten Snowy Owls on
Damon Pt. Go out about two-thirds of the way on Damon Pt. road and watch
for a little parking area on the left side. You can pull off and scan the
area around the hidden pond which is on the RIGHT side of the road. From:
David Beatty djbeatty@techline.com
Sat, 21 Dec 1996 You may have heard... our total in that
section for the CBC on Saturday was 16. Fantastic! I wish I could have
seen them in something other than driving, frozen rain. Scott Richardson
salix@halcyon.com
Sat, 21 Dec 1996 Thanks to directions from two helpful birders at West 90
(where there were
no Snowy Owls), we found four off Best Road, several miles south as the
owls fly.
Take Best Road south from Highway 20 (Burlington/Anacortes) about one
mile.
Look for one of the rolling irrigation rigs across the field on the right.
The owls were perched at intervals along the rig. Best Road is about a
half
mile east of the Farm House Restaurant on hwy 20.
From: Grant Hendrickson grant@brigadoon.com
Sat., Dec 21st The Leadbetter Point Count was held yesterday. SEVEN (7)
SNOWY OWLS at the
end of the point. Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org
Sat, 21 Dec 1996
Subject: Columbia Estuary unofficial results
one SNOWY OWL
Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org
Hello this is Scott Atkinson, reporting for the
Sequim/Dungenness CBC held on Sat dec 21st.
3 SNOW BUNTINGS,
11 AMERICAN PIPITS, 11 SNOWY OWLS, and an undetermined number of ANCIENT
MURRELETS off the Dungeness Spit;
Scott Atkinson, reporting for the
Sequim/Dungenness CBC held on Sat dec 21st.
a likely SPOTTED OWL or strict species
and an AMERICAN TREE SPARROW in the Taylor Cutoff Lost Mountain territory
south of 101; an adult GLAUCOUS GULL and a first-winter BLACK-LEGGED
KITTIWAKE off the Grays Marsh Beach; also there a SORA, a SNOWY OWL and a
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW;
- December 21 [been there for over a month]
A SNOWY OWL, a late BROWN PELICAN, a HARRIS' SPARROW, six SORAS, three
PALM
WARBLERS, and a YELLOWTHROAT were seen on the Tillamook Count.
[Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com ; Portland RBA]
December 21 [been there for about three weeks]
The SNOWY OWL is still being seen at the Salem Airport.
[Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com ; Portland RBA]
I also saw a mature [Snowy] on Dec 21
at Skagit flats sitting on a piece of drift wood.
Mary Poss mposs@u.washington.edu
Sun, 22 Dec 1996 Today I went looking for the Snowy Owls
at Damon Point. Boy, was I successful! Twelve for sure, maybe fifteen.
They were exactly where reported.
Michael B. Brown" borealis@borealis.seanet.com
Olympia CBC : Dec.22 1996 Few owls were seen (they got 2 Snowys at
Nisqually NWR, but no one had Great Horned, Screech, Pygmy, Saw-whet, etc
through the day!), so I walked the Garfield Trail in the moonlight and
picked up a Screech Owl calling just before the rain started coming down
at 8PM. Jon. Anderson Olympia, Washington festuca@olywa.net
- December 22 [been there for about three weeks]
A SNOWY OWL, OLDSQUAW, SWAMP SPARROW, and several KITTIWAKES were on the
Columbia Estuary count, while seven SNOWY OWLS were among a number of good
birds found on the Leadbetter Point count a bit farther north.
[Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com ; Portland RBA]
SNOWY OWL has been reported
from the open fields south of Burns, OR
[Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com ; Portland RBA]
[Not verified by birders yet -apparently seen December 22nd]
Mon, 23 Dec 1996
Having no luck finding the Snowy Owl in the Portland-Vancouver, Wash.
area, I heard that the Snowy Owl was still present at Salem airport. So
I drove the 70 miles south to Salem....cloudy, but no rain Sunday. I was
richly rewarded by the sight of this magnificent bird....standing at the
edge of the runway....ALL of him in plain view. He was just to the right
of the Nat'l Guard Bldg----relatively close to the Airport Road on the
north side of the field. The owl was very alert, and certainly did'nt
look undernourished!!!!! Birders in
Portland-Vanc. area who want to take an hour and a half trip to Salem
will really enjoy seeing this beautiful bird.
Gerald Hamilton, Brush Prairie, Wash. gerald@e-z.net
- December 23 [been there several days]
A SNOWY OWL, ROCK SANDPIPER, and a SORA showed up
on the Florence count. [Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com ; Portland RBA]
Yesterday (12/26) at 4:20pm during the snowstorm there
was a snowy owl on a lightpost on I-5 at Ravenna. I happened to see it as
my bus was creeping along under it. From a distance I thought it was just
a fluffed up, bird-brained gull facing away from me but then as we got
closer I realized that it was a snowy owl very much enjoying the weather.
:) Laurel Cheap lcheap@cac.washington.edu
While seated at the dining room table eating breakfast (12/28)Saturday about 9am I glanced out the window in time
to see a Snowy Owl flying south about a block away. What a surprising
addition to the yard list! Sorry Kelly, I don't have a Delorme handy but
I'm at 47th N. and Densmore N. in the Wallingford district of Seattle. Dan
Victor, Seattle, WA dcv@scn.org
Janet and I visited the West 90 on New Years Eve about
4pm. The roads were fine, no snow, a little water in places. We saw 5
Snowy Owls in the W. 90 region with just our bins and in low light. Dan
Victor, dcv@scn.org
A SNOWY OWL is now being seen at the trailer Court at
the end of Mountain View Lane in Forest Grove. It is found flying about
the trailer court and sitting on the roof tops. On January 4 a flock of 12
loudly calling TRUMPETER SWANS were flying near the Forest Grove Ponds.
The Forest Grove bird is another immature. It was first reported January
3rd. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
January 4, 1997
Went to Long Beach Peninsula last week. Weather was far
from ideal, with the cold winds and high tides keeping most birds in
secluded, sheltered ares. Wind-driven showers of sleet and snow Sat. and
very windy, with heavy rain Sun. morn. before I left. Some snow Sat.
night. Saw a large Snowy Owl on the marshes--west side of Willapa
Bay--north of Leadbetter parking lot.
From: gerald hamilton gerald@e-z.net
1-4-97
Greetings - two fellow birders and I saw 6 snowy owls at Leadbetter
Point SP yesterday (5 were on the grass-covered dunes near the point,
and 1 was on the tidal flats between the peninsula and the island).
Steve Lanigan
lanoman@worldaccess.com
Columbia Estuary Report - 1/4/96 The Lower Columbia Birders took their
monthly expedition in cold, showery weather. We managed to find 2 SNOWY
OWLS at Ft Stevens State Park. The white bird that has been reported
regularly was in the dune nw of parking lot C. Neal Maine managed full
frame video of this bird earlier this week. A second bird was sitting on
a log on Trestle Bay across from parking lot B. This bird is has heavy
black barring and black spotting on the nape and crown (I think that makes
it a female). Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org
There is a Snowy Owl in the Wedgwood neighborhood at noon on Saturday,
Jan. 4. It's been here at least a couple of hours, occasionally moving
short distances to avoid mobbing by crows. For the last hour, it's been
perching high in a tree, a few houses south of the intersection of 36th NE
and NE 70th, with a good, clear view from the street.
Ter Ellingson ellingsn@u.washington.edu
[1-4-97, see above]
Thanks so much for posting this. I haven't had a chance to go out and
look for snowy owls all winter until today, and was planning on driving
up to the west 90. I checked my mail to find the directions i'd saved,
and here was this notice about an owl much closer. As of 2:30pm, it was
still in the same spot. Just beautiful!
Paul Talbert
paul@sparky.fhcrc.org
[January 5, 1997]
Snowy Owls were at the Jensen Access (1), the Samish "90" (6),
Field Road (1), and north of the Samish River bridge (2). Paul Cozens
wcozens@earthlink.net
[January 5, 1997] Just a quick note to let people know that there are
still at least 2 Snowy Owls on the tidal flats north of the Nisqually NWR
dike. One worked the "island" east of McAllister Creek and the other was
toward the mouth of the River from the observation tower. Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington festuca@olywa.net
On Jan. 5, 1997 I saw four snowy owls at the west 90 on the Samish Flats
about 2 1/2 miles west of Edison, WA. I spotted two more north of the
Samish River bridge along the dike. While on Sunset Rd. about 1/2 mile
east of the junction with Hwy. 237 I was able to see three more of the
snowys perched on the ground near standing water. I did not notice any
markings. Bradley Holm HondoBWH@msn.com
My wife and I were up at Samish Flats last weekend [Jan 4-5] and saw
plenty of raptors
(10 bald eagles, 2 Northern Harriers, 2 Snowy Owls, and 1 rough-legged(?)
hawk,) but no gyrfalcons. It was very wet, so I would advise wearing
rubber
boots. We saw the Snowys out on the dike.
Steven Kimball kimball@halcyon.com
It was a week ago Sunday (guess that would make it the 5th). And
it was at the West 90. We walked out along the road and saw 2 immatures on
posts on the east side, 1 mature bird on the ground by the ditch draining
to the east from that road and 2 mature birds on the west side of the road
close to the ditch. Also saw a short eared owl.
Mary Poss mposs@u.washington.edu
Two SNOWY OWLS were seen at the Nisqually National
Wildlife Refuge on the 6th. They were in the tide flats north of the
dike. [SAS RBA from Paul Cozens wcozens@earthlink.net]
You can see Snowy owls from Nisqually Reach with a good
scope. We saw one eating something the morning of Jan. 7. From the end of
the pier the tussocks of grass obscured the bird, but when we made a last
ditch effort from the base we located it. Look for something that appears
to be a dirty lump of snow. The young man working on the house was
pleased to tell us about the 50 birders that were looking for the owls
last week. The hunters didn't affect the owl at all. The hunters were
out there with about 75 mallard decoys blasting away and the owl didn't
pay any attention. Lois Schultz lois@acpub.duke.edu
January 8 - Hi! This is Tom Aversa at 782-7342. I today
birded from Samish Flats down to Stilaguamish and I was looking for Snowy
Owls. I found 17: 6 at the West 90, 2 at Samish River Crossing, 1 on
Sunset (all those on Samish Flats), there were 2 at Best Road at McLain
and there were 6 at Tom Lee Road down south of Stanwood. [WOS BirdBox
Transcription Bob Norton, Joyce, WA (near Port Angeles)
norton360@aol.com]
Seattle Times Friday, January 10, 1997, Local/Regional
news, page B2 : "Visitor from north. [Snowy Owl picture on a roof] A snowy
Owl sits atop a roof this week near 14th Avenue East on Capitol Hill. The
owl, driven south in search of food, attracted nearly two dozen harassing
crows."
Sat, 11 Jan 1997
From: "F. Wood" fbwood@u.washington.edu
Spent the foggy, overcast day birding between Silvana and Samish Is. The
most spectacular area was Boe Rd. south of Stanwood (E of 530). The
original flock of about 500 snow geese expanded to perhaps 5000 while we
watched (I'm nowhere near as good at astronomical estimates as RTP
trained himself to be). Our only Snowy Owl was at the periphery of this
flock of geese.
January 11 - This is Yvonne Bombardier (206) 348-8845.
This is an addition to the following message. Also on the West 90 we saw 6
Snowy Owls, at the mouth of the Samish River we saw 3 Snowy Owls and along
Sunset Road we saw one other Snowy Owl. [WOS Birdbox Transcribed by: Bob
Norton Goddessnow@aol.com]
January 11 - Ed Deal, Seattle, 723-4742. Snowy Owl report: Best Road;
north of McLean, 3; Big Ditch, no Snowy Owls and at the mouth of the
Stillaguamish on the tide flats seen from the very end of Boe Road, 9
Snowy Owls. Good luck and good birding! [WOS Birdbox Transcribed by: Bob
Norton Goddessnow@aol.com]
This is Ruth Sullivan from Tacoma 564-7419. Yesterday,
January 11 at Ocean Shores there were 24 Snowy Owls on Damon Point. Also
there were 2 Lapland Longspurs. At Bowerman Basin we had an adult Swamp
Sparrow. Also we had dark morph Red-tailed Hawk at Bowerman Basin.
[WOS Birdbox Transcribed by: Bob Norton Goddessnow@aol.com]
A SNOWY OWL appeared January 11 along Farmer Road east of Baskett Slough
NWR. Drive west from Salem on Highway 22. Turn right onto Highway 99W and
drive about a mile. Turn right onto Farmer Road and drive to the railroad
tracks. The bird is in that area. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls
hnehls@teleport.com]
Columbia Estuary Report - 1/12/97 The recent press that
the SJCR Snowy has received (_Daily Astorian_,1/6/97 and _The
Oregonian_,1/8/97) has made it a very popular celebrity. It was seen
yesterday and today by car loads of people. And today was a beautiful day
to go owling. There was not a cloud in the sky. Mike Patterson
mpatters@orednet.org
Columbia Estuary Report - 1/12/97 Henry Gilmour reports 3 SNOWY OWLS and a
sizable flock of SNOW BUNTINGS at Leadbetter Point yesterday. Hip boots
are required to get to the place where the owls are. Mike Patterson
mpatters@orednet.org
Yesterday (Sunday, Jan. 12th), while driving through Dungeness returning
from the Spit (where there were 2 Snowy Owls) I had an adult Grey-phase
Gyr sitting on the apex of tree for a few minutes, before it flew off - in
the direction of the Spit. Chris Mcinerny cmcinern@fhcrc.org
January 12 - Hello, this is Ben Freeman and today we birded the Samish and
Skagit areas and Whidbey Island. At the Stanwood Sewage Ponds were visible
about 10,000 Snow Geese in the morning. There was also one Harlan's
Red-tailed Hawk there. At the Big Ditch Access there were also about 8000
Snow Geese present there and a Northern Shrike and about 15 Western
Meadowlarks. At the West 90 there was one Short-eared Owl and one Snowy
Owl. On Thomas Road between Sunset and Field Roads there was also a Snowy
Owl. There were 6 Snowy Owls at the Big Ditch Access as well. There was
one Eared Grebe at Swantown on Whidbey Island and one Short-eared Owl at
Crockett Lake. [WOS BirdBox Transcribed by: Bob Norton,
norton360@aol.com]
January 12 - Hi, this is Stephen Mlodinow. Along Boundry Bay between 64th
and 72nd Street we had 35 Snowy Owls. Off Point Roberts we had 90 Marbled
Murrelets and at the southern tip of Point Roberts in a brushy area we had
a Slate-colored Fox Sparrow as opposed to the usual Sooty Fox Sparrows
which were present in good numbers. [WOS BirdBox Transcribed by: Bob
Norton, norton360@aol.com]
Hi! Thanks for the message you sent me. We went birding on the twelfth
of January and saw the SNOWs back in West 90. We only saw two that time.
I hope you can locate them.
Good Luck!
-Sachiko s423drug@belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us
On the dike at Bounday Bay, Monday [1/13], 1-4 pm. Many
bald eagles after turning off Hwy 99 onto Hwy 10. Estimate 50+ snowy owls
centered around the greenhouses about 1 mile west from end of 72nd St.
About 50-50 mature and immature. Immature northern shrike in tree just
east of greenhouses. SE owls on fence surrounding electrical installation
north of dike.
DONALD F HOUCK, BYUP19A@prodigy.com
On January 15 three bright SNOWY OWLS were about the
shorebird flats at the South Jetty of the Columbia River. The dark Forest
Grove bird continues to be seen at the trailer court at the end of
Mountain View Lane. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
I was at the South Jetty of the Columbia River January 15 and observed
three adult female Snowy Owls around the shorebird flats at the base of
the jetty. I did not see any dark immature birds. Undoubtedly the male
reported earlier was one of these females. Harry Nehls
hnehls@teleport.com
On January 15 another Snowy was found west of Junction City in Lane
County. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Yesterday morning (16 Jan) I counted 43 Snowy Owls at
Boundary Bay, BC, including a group of 24 next to the Greenhouses there -
a memorable sight. 19 of the birds were 1st winters, the remainder
adults. Also SE Owls, RL Hawks, Bald Eagles, Dunlin and BB Plovers.
Christopher Mcinerny cmcinern@fhcrc.org
Another [Snowy]was reported from near Rocky Point on the
west side of Upper Klamath Lake January 17, but it could not be relocated.
The Mountain View Lane bird in Forest Grove is elusive, but is still in
the area. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Three Snowys were seen the South Jetty, at Area C, on
January 18.
Lane Wintermute, lwinterm@orednet.org
Other birds on the 20th include a banded GYRFALCON, 6
SNOWY OWLS, and 3 SHORT-EARED OWLS near the Samish Island Road 90 degree
north turn. [SAS RBA, Paul Cozens wcozens@earthlink.net]
Just a small report on our visit to Boundary Bay, at 1:30pm on Monday,
Jan. 20th. After Janet and I reached the end of 72nd street we walked
west on the dike path. [In our previous visits most of the Snowys were
east along that path.] We counted 40 Snowy Owls during our short visit.
Most were around a greenhouse area, along the ridges of the roofs or
sitting on piles of sawdust. One was up in a tree sitting quietly only 30
feet away and another sitting on a prey on the ground about the same
distance from the path. A little further down there's a nice home near
the dike which had 7 on it's roof ridge. Quite a spectacle!
[Dan Victor dcv@scn.org]
January 20th
- This is Ruth Taylor, 525-6345 (that's a
Seattle number). On Monday Judy DuVall and I birded the Samish
Flats and also part of the Skagit Flats. Probably the best bird of the
day: an adult gray GYRFALCON at the West 90. This individual is very
heavily marked on the breast, belly, and flanks, and in poor light
superficially very much resembles a giant PEALE'S PEREGRINE [FALCON].
However, the bird was very much a gyr. Also at the West 90: six SNOWY
OWLS and at least three very cooperative SHORT-EARED OWLS. Two more SNOWY
OWLS, possibly a third, at the mouth of the Samish River, and also two
SNOWY OWLS at the Jensen access. Also on Fir Island: two flocks of SNOW
GEESE totalling probably about nine or ten thousand, with the larger flock
near the North Fork access and the smaller flock near the Jensen access.
[Washington BirdBox Transcribed by Hal Opperman halop@u.washington.edu]
four Snowy Owls Jan 23. All were at the West 90, on the
fence line running east-west. It was late afternoon. All were immatures -
one ~very~ darkly spotted. None were dye-marked that I could see. Jerry
Blinn 76506.3100@CompuServe.COM
Hi. Dave Lauten and Kathy Castelein at 206-706-0666. Went up to Samish
Flats yesterday the 23rd, and the [WESTERN] SCRUB-JAY remains at 1134
Bayview-Edison Ave., six SNOWY OWLS remain at the West 90, and an immature
dark-phase GYRFALCON was sitting on a telephone pole along the West 90
east of Bayview-Edison Road, where it turns north towards Samish Bay.
[WOS Birdbox, Transcribed by Hal Opperman, halop@u.washington.edu]
The SNOWY OWL along the South Jetty Road at the mouth of the Siuslaw River
continues to be found. The Junction City bird is apparently in the area
but moves around so much birders cannot catch up with it. On January 23
another SNOWY OWL was observed sitting on a dike near Mohoff Pond in
Ankeny NWR near Salem. It apparently has not been relocated. [OR RBA,
Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
On January 24 a BURROWING OWL was flushed from the
driftwood at the base of the South Jetty of the Columbia River. Up to five
SNOWY OWLS have been seen during the week about the shorebird flats near
the jetty. [OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Saturday, January 25. Columbia River Jetty. We found a
single Snowy on the South Jetty, at Area C, along with two adult Bald
Eagles. Lane Wintermute,
lwinterm@orednet.org
Sightings for Saturday, January 25th TWO SNOWY OWLS were reported at the
foot of 64th (Boundary Bay) and 3 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS in the same general
area. [B.C. RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
On Sunday, January 26th, Ed Schulz, Connie Veldink, and
I, Lynne Darnell, went up to Boundary Bay in BC. The weather was
spectacular, clear, with high wispy clouds, though quite cold (between 30
and 35 degrees). We went out by the greenhouses(as described in Tweeters
earlier in the month ...off Hwy 10 and 72nd St.) and saw about 30 Snowy
Owls. They were roosting on the plastic bags of fertilizer, on the
pallets, on the piles of sawdust, all over... it was somewhat comical.
In the mid afternoon they moved across the dike over to the completely
frozen marsh area, where they gave everyone some nice "photo ops". We
also saw about 15 Short-Eared Owls Seamless Weaver lynnie@eskimo.com
A few other sightings of Snowy's were 10 [Jan. 26th] at Brunswick Point
which is at the west end of River Rd. in Ladner. This is the road used to
get to the Bridge which you have to cross to get to the Reifel Refuge if
you have ever been there.
[BC RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
Columbia Estuary Report -- 1/27/97
The BURROWING OWL reported Friday at parking lot C (SJCR) of Ft Stevens
St Pk was still hanging out in the driftwood Saturday morning.
Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org
Monday, January 27th
Nine SNOWY OWLS were seen at Brunswick Point along with 4 SHORT-
EARED OWLS. Another 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were reported from the
Beach Grove Lagoon area.
[BC RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
Monday, January 27th
Nine SNOWY OWLS were seen at Brunswick Point along with 4 SHORT-
EARED OWLS. Another 2 SHORT-EARED OWLS were reported from the
Beach Grove Lagoon area.
[B.C. RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
01-29-97: Ian McGregor, 361-4784. A trip to the Samish
Flats, specifically the area from the river mouth to the cliff base at
Samish Island, was undertaken today, including the West 90. The highlights
were: 3 SNOWY OWLS, 1 GYRFALCON (dark phase), 1 MERLIN, 3 to 5
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS (including 1 dark-phase bird), uncountable BALD EAGLES,
and, most surprising to me, 25 at least EURASIAN WIGEON males--mostly in
the field on the flats just below the road up to Samish Island. [WOS
birdbox, Lisa M. Smith" subplot@u.washington.edu]
01-29-97: Tom Aversa. A few birds from a trip down to Grays
Harbor/Ocean Shores area. The highlight I guess was probably a
WHITE-TAILED KITE at the Hoquiam sewage treatment area, right on the left
side of Paulson Road as you're going in there. The bird was very visible
and cooperative. There was also an EARED GREBE in the sewage ponds there.
There were 6 TRUMPETER SWANS still remaining in the swamp near Ocean City
State Park. 17 SNOWY OWLS down on Damon Point and a PALM WARBLER right in
that immediate area also. GREATER WHITE-FRONT, immature, down on the golf
course. [WOS birdbox, Lisa M. Smith" subplot@u.washington.edu]
I had nearly forgotten that I did in fact see a single adult male Snowy
Owl at Damon Point, but only on a single day (Jan. 29, I think). [Robert
Russell, Russell@racesmtp.afsc.noaa.gov]
Sightings for Friday, January 31st The COMMON EIDER was
observed today about 1km west of Spanish Banks feeding with a very large
flock of SCOTERS. The SNOWY OWL population between 64th and 72nd was
reported at 29. Also along this stretch were five SHORT-EARED OWLS. [B.C.
RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
Five more SHORT-EARED OWLS were seen at Brunswick Point along with 6
SNOWY OWLS, and the PRAIRIE FALCON.
[B.C. RBA, Larry Cowan 102650.3672@CompuServe.COM]
Between 1100 - 1200, Feburary 1, 1997. A
good southerly wind (about 20 knots) was blowing, temperature in the high
40's F., cloudy with scattered rain. Saw some interesting raptor behavior
on my first visit to Boundry Bay, and first Snowy Owl sightings. This is
the location on the north side of Boundry Bay, which is accessed from 72nd
street (off highway 10). As we approached the greenhouses, we saw a snowy
atop a telephone pole and another atop a great heap of sawdust. There were
about 9 more scattered across the greenhouses.
An immature bald eagle flew in from the north, on a flight line across the
flooded field fairly equidistant from the wigeons and the pole owl. Junior
then dropped to about 60' off the deck, and eased towards the wigeons.
They flew up, and off to the east (then the south, to the bay). Junior
then eased off to the west, and up to telephone pole height. At this point
the pole owl flew up, and to the north (the wind was gusty from the
south), nervously looking over its shoulder as it bouyed on the wind and
made slowly to the north. Junior, still not satisfied that *everyone* is
showing respect, makes a U-turn and flushes the greenhouse owls up in a
cloud of 11 snowy owls! A wondrous scene!
["Patrick, Michael" MPatrick@ELDEC.com]
I decided last weekend to take my kids on a snowy owl excursion. I had
planned to search the Tweeters archives for sightings, since I hadn't had
the foresight to save the postings. After loading up the Tweeters web
page, I found to my delight the links to the page of Cascadia sightings
(which was nicely up-to-date!), and to the page with driving directions.
We headed up to the West 90 on Saturday and spent an hour on the dike and
along the Bayview-Edison Road - saw 7 beautiful Snowys! Thanks so much to
Dan and Kelly for your time and effort - it is greatly appreciated!
[Debbie McLeod Redmond WA mac@halcyon.com]
Sun., Feb. 1, 10:30A. Nisqually NW Refuge. Two snowy owls. On dike trail
about 150 yards before lookout tower, look towards barns. One owl in bush
or small tree in middle distance slightly right and in front of barns.
Second owl on woodpile further right and further out. Quite a ways out
and no detail without scope. These pointed out to us by a NWL biologist
who said they tend to roost in the same place. Also saw bald eagle in
trees further out to left of barn from same spot.. Ed Level,
Eelevel@AOL.com.
Columbia Estuary Report - 2/2/97 Today, I found one of
the LONG-TAILED DUCKS (!?) at the end of 6th street in Astoria. At South
Jetty of the Columbia River, 3 SNOWY OWLS were easily visible from the
observation tower. One was almost certainly the white adult seen last
week. The other two had fine white barring on their wing coverts and
back, but white heads (this matches the description of the plumage type I
have most consistantly encountered). Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org
I went birding with Rose Stogsdill [Feb. 2nd] and would like to report an
amazing day of Skagit sightings. I am new to this, but felt lucky to have
an expert guide in Rose. We saw Trumpeter swans 3000-4000 Snow Geese Four
Snowy Owls Northern Harrier Hawk Common Loon A tree full of Black-Crowned
Night Herons Peregrine Falcon Prairie Falcon Gyrfalcon (Perhaps two!) The
three falcons were together near the West 90. We saw so many eagles we
stopped counting them. What a day! [Joan Burton jburton@u.washington.edu]
[Feb 2nd]
SNOWY OWLS, 4-8 birds, have been seen the last two weeks west of
Spokane in the Reardon-Davenport-Mondovi area according to Warren
Hall. Look for them along Detour Road, which parallels US 2, about a
mile south of US 2 between Davenport and Reardon, along Old State
Hwy which runs parallel to US 2 one mile north of US 2, and along
Waukon Road which heads south from US 2 about 2 miles east of
Reardon. Washington DeLorme p. 87, C8 and p. 88, D2.
[RNA: E WA / Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
On Sunday (2/2) we had a lovely drive around the Samish Flats, and saw 9
snowy owls -- 7 at the mouth of the Samish River, and 2 more at the West
90. A record for us! And, of course, lots of eagles, rough legs, red
tails, etc. (No falcons this time...) [Wendy C. Roedell Internet:
wroedell@psesd.wednet.edu]
A group of our class went on a birding trip to the Samish flats on Sunday,
Feb. 2nd. It was mostly sunny and here are the birds that we saw, This
was a five year record for these trips, 168 total raptors and 10 species
of raptors. 7 SNOW (5 in the same field off Allen rd. on Samish) [Dean
Drugge
The OLDSQUAWS and HARLEQUIN DUCKS are still regularly being seen from the
South Jetty of Yaquina Bay and recently a SNOWY OWL has shown up in the
dunelands just south of the jetty.
The SNOWY OWL is still being seen
near the South Jetty of the Siuslaw River near Florence, and on February 2
a NORTHERN SHRIKE, a WHITE-TAILED KITE, and an early flock of CLIFF
SWALLOWS were in the same area.
Up to five SNOWY OWLS are still at the South Jetty of the Columbia River.
[OR RBA, Harry Nehls [hnehls@teleport.com]
[Feb. 2nd] This is Steven Mlodinow. We went up to Stillaguamish Delta,
and at the end of Idie Road, which is just west of Stanwood, we had 8
SNOWY OWLS, a SHORT-EARED OWL, and 2 HARLAN'S HAWKS--one an adult bird and
one an immature bird, both dark-phase. [WOS Birdbox, "Lisa M. Smith"
subplot@u.washington.edu]
02-03-97: Dalwyn Knight [sp?]. I'm a member of the
Christian Science church on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I'm calling to tell
you, in case you haven't heard, that we have a SNOWY OWL living on our
church. It's been there for two or three weeks now. Huge, big, white
SNOWY here, gray and white SNOWY OWL. Right now it's living on top of a
??? [sounds like pediment]on the north side of the building. The building
is on the corner of 16th and Denny, directly across just south of Group
Health Hospital on top of Queen Anne Hill. It's a beautiful big bird, with
many people stopping and admiring it, and stopping by the reading room
telling me about it--telling us who are working in here--that's where I'm
calling from. I guess that's all you need to know. [WOS Birdbox,
Transcribed by Lisa M. Smith subplot@u.washington.edu]
[2/3] South of Davenport [WA] on Boyk Rd off Spinning Rd snowy owls 2
(both looked like juv) snow buntings ~450 (This year I had only seen 12
before!) [Howard L. Ferguson, Im4nature@aol.com]
[Feb. 5th]Thanks to a phone call from Sharon Talbert (of
Campus Cats) I just saw an immature Snowy Owl perched on the NE side of
Smith hall on the UW campus, today at 11:30. It's drawing a nice crowd of
admiring UW students in the Quad. Hurrah, a Snowy on the Campus !! [Dan
Victor, Seattle, WA dcv@scn.org]
Owl has been there since at least 8:30 this morning, calmly enduring the
outraged crows and delighted stares of passersby. Last Snowy I saw was
during the blizard of '68(?), when a mature bird was hanging out in front
of the HUB, watching students walk by.
[Sharon Talbert stalbert@u.washington.edu]
As of 12:45PM (today, Feb 05, '97), she was still there, just sitting and
looking a bit sleepy eyed. She did do a gaping-beak face at one of the
annoying crows (they all left as I watched-just got bored with her
nonchalance, I guess.) Was also able to see how feathered the toes are as
she did a little grooming. She's drawing quite a crowd of gawkers and
folks like me with binos stashed in their desks just waiting for an
opportunity like this, and photographers, too.
[Maureen Ellis me2@u.washington.edu]
The Smith Hall snowy owl left Smith Hall a little after 2PM, flew over the
building and was relocated on the roof of the Allen Library. As of 2:15
it was sitting on the peak of the roof of the bridge between the Allen and
Suzallo libraries. It is on the HUB (East) side of a chimney, a couple
of dozen crows draws a line from the edge of the building to the owl.
[Mary Ellen Ahearn mea@u.washington.edu]
We counted 29 [Snowy Owls at Boundary Bay] in a small area Wednesday
morning, 2/5. I was pleased with the number of other birds there as well.
On arrival Tuesday afternoon while walking to the greenhouse site, I
counted 4 Short-eared Owls and three Northern Harriers hunting diligently
around the area (the Snowys must have been dining mostly at night though I
did see one fly off a greenhouse roof top and catch something on the
ground which was not quite visible). Then I went back on Wednesday
morning I accessed the area from 64th instead of 72nd - a shorter walk by
half to just get to where the Snowys were hanging out. [Jon Williams,
jon@wport.com]
The Snowy Owl mentioned in yesterday's post was still
perched regally on the north side of the Christian Scientist church on
Capitol Hill yesterday [Feb. 6th] at 4 pm. The building occupies the
block between 15th and 16th and Denny (south of Group Health Hospital).
Workers at GH have been tracking its daily forays for a couple of weeks
and say it is generally there most of the afternoon. It's a spectacular
bird--I think probably a female since it is large and has considerable
barring (though I'm no expert on this since this was a life bird for me!).
It was perched on top of one of the column-like structures of the
building. Well worth checking out. jm ["J. Marrazzo"
jmm2@u.washington.edu]
Feb. 6, 10:30A: 27 snowys at greenhouse, Boundary Bay. Couple we passed
on dike said they saw 31. 4:30P: no snowys at West 90; maybe too late
in day.
[Ed Level, Eelevel@AOL.com.]
02-07-97: This is Eric ??? [sounds like Kowalchika] with
Woodland Park Zoo. I just received a phone call about a SNOWY OWL up on
Capitol Hill. It's apparently been there for the last two weeks. Right
now, it's at East Denny and 16th Avenue East, on the front of a
church--the Christian Science Church--on the north side of the church,
perched on a column. People in the area have been seeing this bird for the
last two weeks, so if you want to see a close-up of a Snowy, I guess it's
a pretty reliable location.
[WOS Birdbox, "Lisa M. Smith" subplot@u.washington.edu]
[Feb. 8th] Just got back from a great birding trip with
The Mountaineers to Nisqually Delta Wildlife Refuge. My first time there.
1 Snowy Owl [Christy Anderson christya@gte.net]
On Feb 8, I observed 1 ad and 1 imm snowy owl and the brown phase
gyrfalcon at the Samish '90' (late afternoon until dark). Snowy owls
seen on the morning of Feb 9 included: 1 at the '90', 8 east of the
Samish River near the bridge, 1 west of the bridge, 2 in a farm lot
across the road (southeast) from the 'field of 8' sitting on farm
equipment, 1 at Best Road, 1 at Big Ditch. Also near the bridge
among
the 8 snowies was a gray gyrfalcon. It sat on a fence post most of
the morning until about 1100 when it flew east toward Sunset Road.
It
and four of the 'fence post sitting' snowies were apparently spooked
by a group of birders walking the gated dike along the river (ruining
otherwise excellent views for other birders).
[Joe Engler USFWS, joe_engler@mail.fws.gov]
We went to Boundary Bay and Reifle [Feb. 8th] and saw 25 SNOW's,
2 Short-Ears, 2 Saw-Whets and a Great Horned Owl. Quite an auspicious
debut for some of the future ecologists.
[Barry Levine levineb@belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us]
On Feb 9, I observed a snowy owl (adult?) along Best Road
in the
Skagit area. The bird had a yellow patagial marker on the right wing.
The tag appeared to have a black 'J' code on it. The top of the 'J'
was at the leading edge of the wing. The bird was seen at about 1300
hrs along the west side of Best Road, 0.6 miles north of McLean Road
sitting on a red farming implement. It flew southwest and landed
next
to a pile of wood (pallet?) near a farm building, close to McLean
Road.
[Joe Engler USFWS, joe_engler@mail.fws.gov]
[Feb. 9th]
There was a beautiful adult Snowy Owl near a knoll where Thorpe Road
jogs north on the Lincoln/Spokane County line. We saw two more Snowy Owls
southeast of Davenport on Mecklenberg Road (DeLorme p. 87 D-8). Chris
spotted another Snowy Owl on Hwy 2 east of Wilbur.
Most outstanding were 2-3,000 Snow Buntings by the roadside and in wheat
stubble on Boyk Road a few miles north of the owls. Spokane expert Jim
Acton
had 6 Snowy Owls on Boyk Road this afternoon and three elsewhere south of
Hwy 2. He believes he could find 14-15 Snowy Owls in the general area. He
also believes these may be record numbers during the 20+ years he has been
doing his "Snowy Owl Survey" in this area.
[Andy Stepniewski, steppie@wolfenet.com]
[Feb. 9th]
I thought that you might be interested to know that most
of the Snowy Owls that have hung out at the "West 90" on the
Samish Flats seemed to have moved east towards the Samish River.
Various reports lately have stated the "Samish River mouth" but
really you don't see the delta where the owls are, they favor a
field upstream a bit.
To find them: from the "T" formed by Bayview/
Edison Rd and Samish Island Rd go east towards Edison. The
road turns north in about 1/4 mile then east again. Immediately
after crossing the bridge over Samish River park on the left
side of the road, near a "Port-o-let" toilet and cross to the
south side of the road. There's a dirt area here that overlooks a
large farm field; there were 9 Snowys ther today. As always
in the Samish a scope is a big help. The owls are easier to see
here than they were at the West 90 because of your elevation
advantage over the farm field and less vegetation. One of the
owls had a large, yellow plastic tag affixed to its shoulder
area with a "5" on it.
["Jim P. Flynn" bf519@scn.org]
Feb. 9th On hwy 172 between hwy 17 and Mansfield we saw 6 Gray Partridge
in one covey, 9 more in another covey, then 2 laying down on snow bank
only 30 ft from car. We were able to get good photos out the car window.
On this stretch of road we were also surprised by a gorgeous Snowy Owl
sitting on top of a white mound of snow. [Hugh Jennings
Hughbirder@msn.com]
02-09-97 Hello, this is Ben Freeman, and I spent the weekend in
Vancouver, B.C. Let's see - there were 42 SNOWY OWLS and 7 SHORT-EARED
OWLS between 64th and 72nd streets in Boundary Bay
[WOS Birdbox, Christopher Hill cehill@u.washington.edu]
Yesterday, on 2/9, at Leadbetter Point in Pacific County, 1
LONG-EARED OWL, 1 BARN OWL, 8 SNOWY OWLS, 3 SNOWY PLOVERS, 1 GLAUCOUS
GULL, 11 SEMIPALMATED PLOVERS, 2 SNOW BUNTINGS, and 3 LAPLAND LONGSPURS
were observed.
[WOS Birdbox, Transcribed by Chris Hill, cehill@u.washington.edu]
We were at Damon Point on Feb. 9 and saw more than twenty owls. I'd
be surprised if they were all gone by now, although we have had some
pretty nice weather.
[Eric Kraig kraig@wln.com]
As for the Snowies at the Nisqually--I was there a weekend
ago,[Feb 8/9th] and the 2 owls were too.
["James R Lyles" jrlyles@usgs.gov]
Snowy Owl at Christian Science Church/16th and Denny [in
Seattle] was still there [Feb. 11th] (Tuesday) afternoon. Hope you get a
chance to see him. [CTrumble sodwana@u.washington.edu]
James West [JDWEST@U.WASHINGTON.EDU] reports seeing the
immature Snowy at 16th and Denny 2/12 in the afternoon. Sent a lot of
time preening.
[Feb. 13th]The SNOWY OWLS continue to be reported from
the South Jetty of the Siuslaw
River, at the South Jetty of Yaquina Bay, and from the South Jetty of the
Columbia River. The Forest Grove bird has not been seen for over a week.
[OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Thu, 13 Feb 1997
From: Irene Wanner, iwanner@u.washington.edu
The snowy is still at the 16th & Denny church (just south of Group Health
on Cap Hill) and looking elegant atop a Corinthian capital.
Feb. l3th Eastern Wash. has Snowy Owls too! Maybe I should say
North-Central Wash. East of Mansfield today we saw 2 Snowies and
over l,000 Snow Buntings. We were at the intersection of l4 and O
streets
approx. l mile from Simms Corner, which is East of Mansfield. All were
within a 1/4mile stretch. On one side of road is a house with a yellow
airplane. On other side of road are several grain silos.
["Richard D. Spencer" merdave@televar.com]
2/15 Subject: Re: Seattle Snowy. It might not be gone,
but just moved. I got some photos of it Saturday morning near 18th &
Thomas. It was in a blue spruce in an alley. [Wes Jansen
wjansen@u.washington.edu]
At dusk on February 15, we with Ruth Fischer, saw a Snowy Owl 2 miles west
of the intersection of 172 and 17 near Mansfield, Douglas county. The
bird appeared to be an adult. It was making short flights near and across
the road [Bill and Nancy LaFramboise wlafra@oneworld.owt.com]
A few kids in our class along with Dean did a rapter census on February
15th. We also spotted 6 Snowy Owls. (Samish Flats) [ Marisa, John, and
Dara, in Dean's class Ardmore, 4th and 5th grade Dean Drugge
drugged@belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us]
02-16-97 Hi, this is Clay Kemp (sp?), and yesterday we
had a couple SNOWY OWLS between Reardon and Davenport. There was also a
GRAY MORPH GYRFALCON on highway 231 just south of Reardon. [WOS Birdbox,
Transcribed by Chris Hill cehill@u.washington.edu]
[02-16-97 East of Mansfield] Snow Buntings were no problem. They were
widespread in northern Douglas Co. in varying flock sizes--the most
common bird in the area--which isn't hard considering there was almost
nothing else; Horned Larks were way down in numbers. The male buntings
were coming into spring plumage and were quite spectacular. With a little
searching, we also saw one of the Snowy Owls perched on a barn just across
the road from the yellow airplane. [Lorna & Jerry tangren@wsu.edu]
Scott Downes visited Ocean Shores last weekend and found NO Snowy Owls at
Damon Point. Has anyone seen them there lately?
[Christopher Hill cehill@u.washington.edu]
Up at the Samish Flats on the 16th, we saw four owls, spread between
the West 90 and the river mouth. I haven't checked on the Nisqually
owls lately.
[Eric Kraig, kraig@wln.com]
East of Mansfield (As above), saw one Snowy Owl on
Sunday the 17th. [Janet Wilson and Dan Victor dcv@scn.org]
Up on the Samish on Monday, 17 February, and we had six Snowy Owls near
the Samish River mouth. The birds were to the south of the bridge over the
river, and at least while we were there were all east of the river.
Mostly perched along the dike, but sometimes moved onto logs or old
pilings in the river. Also had a great look at a Peregrine Falcon, several
Rough-legged Hawks. [Brian H. Bell, bellasoc@isomedia.com]
I did see the Bridle Trails Park bird the week of February 17 (don't
remember exactly which day), it has been regular there for some time,
according to the folks in the neighborhood. I believe it was seen as
recently as last weekend. [March 1st]
There has also been a reliable Snowy Owl in the park. It is usually
sitting on top of one of the big power poles in the power-line cut that
bisects the park north to south.
[Hal Opperman, halop@u.washington.edu]
There were still 4 [Snowy Owls] on Dungeness Spit as of
today[Feb. 19th] according to the refuge manager (whose name escapes me at
this moment) [information relayed by Bob Boekelheide. [Bob Norton,
norton360@aol.com]
[Feb 19th] The SNOWY OWL remains in the dunes south of the Yaquina Bay
Jetty. There are indications that two birds might be involved. At least
two SNOWY OWLS are still at the South Jetty of the Columbia River. [OR
RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
[Feb. 19th] SNOWY OWLS, 4-8 birds, have been seen the last month west of
Spokane in the Reardon-Davenport-Mondovi area. Look along Detour
Road, which parallels US 2, about a mile south of US 2 between
Davenport and Reardon, and along Old State Hwy which runs parallel to
US 2 one mile north of US 2, and along Waukon Road which heads
south from US 2 about 2 miles east of Reardon. From reports provided
by Dick Johnson, John and Amy Roberson, and Clare and Sharron
Wiser, the best birding was along Detour Road.
[RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
[Feb. 19th] Idaho SNOWY OWLS, two of them, are on the Rathdrum Prairie
just west of Coeur d'Alene. John Shipley reports the birds are north of
Hayden Road, which runs east and west, and between Atlas Road on the east
and Meyer Road on the west. One bird frequents the CdA airport at the
north end of Atlas. It looks to me like you can access this by taking ID
41 north from I-90 at exit 7 about three miles to Hayden Road. ID DeLorme
p. 60, A1. [RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
February 20th - Hi. This is William Francis on the
road. The [NORTHERN] HAWK OWL was in Cheney on Thursday morning, parking
lot nine (south football stadium), and the BLUE JAY was two blocks west of
Washington on Sixth Street. And a SNOWY OWL on Washington 28 south of
Davenport, mile-marker 126. [WOS birbox Transcribed by Hal Opperman
halop@u.washington.edu]
Also on February 20, Tony Greager reported that one of his students had
photographed a SNOWY OWL along Ayres Road in the Hover area on a prior
date [Lower Columbia Basin Alert, Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
wlafra@owt.com]
[Feb. 21st] SNOWY OWLS have been seen the last six weeks
west of Spokane in the Reardon-Davenport-Mondovi area. Look along Detour
Road, which parallels US 2, about a mile south of US 2 between Davenport
and Reardon, and along Old State Hwy which runs parallel to US 2 one mile
north of US 2, and along Waukon Road which heads south from US 2 about 2
miles east of Reardon. Last Sat, Feb 15, Tom and Diane Weber saw three
while Clay Kent reports two. [RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR Dale Goble
gobled@uidaho.edu]
[Feb. 21st] Idaho SNOWY OWLS, two of them, were reported two weeks ago on
the Rathdrum Prairie just west of Coeur d'Alene. John Shipley reported
the birds are north of Hayden Road, which runs east and west, and between
Atlas Road on the east and Meyer Road on the west. One bird was
frequenting the CdA airport at the north end of Atlas. It looks to me
like you can access this by taking ID 41 north from I-90 at exit 7 about
three miles to Hayden Road. Anything new on these birds? ID DeLorme p.
60, A1. [RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
This morning (Sat. Feb 22nd) about 10:45 I checked the
Christian Science
church in Seattle on 16th E near Group Health Hospital. Sure enough,
there was the 'Seattle Snowy Owl" perched up on one of the decorative
capitols in the NW side of the building. It does indeed look similar to
the one that was on campus a short while back.
[Dan Victor, dcv@scn.org]
On the way back from a trip to Okanogan yesterday (2/22), we saw possibly
the same [Snowy, see Feb 15th] owl, 1/2 mile north of the same
intersection[of 172 and 17 near Mansfield, Douglas county]. At 7:30 pm,
it flew right in front of our car. [Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
wlafra@oneworld.owt.com]
Columbia Estuary Report - 2/22/97 There was still one SNOWY OWL at the
shorebird flats, SJCR on Saturday. [Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org]
22 Feb 1997 I went looking for the Nisqually NWR Snowys today. I had the
priviledge of seeing one of them. He was out on the mud-flats, sitting on
the end of a downed tree. As I lifted my head from the scope, I looked
up, And what did mine eyes behold, But an Adult Bald eagle doing a
fly-over. WOW!!! What a beautiful site. Snowy and Eagle within 5
seconds. There was a total of 3 Adult and 1 immature eagle that I saw.
The lady working at the NWR said there are still 2 Snowys hanging around,
but they should be leaving soon. [Chris A. Marcoe cam16@oz.net]
February 22rd - This is Ed Swan at 725-5013 in Seattle. After seeing the
[NORTHERN] HAWK OWL, I saw a SNOWY OWL along Detour Road, which is
parallel to Highway 2, just west of where Highway 2 and Detour Road run
into 231. [WOS BirdBox Transcribed by Hal Opperman
halop@u.washington.edu]
At least one SNOWY OWL is still residing along Detour Road, which
parallels US 2, about a mile south of US 2 between Davenport and
Reardon, WA. John Hirth reports a single bird Feb 22, along with a
couple of TUNDRA SWAN and 5 flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS, totaling
about 100 birds. WA DeLorme 87, C8 and 88, D2.
[RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
Sun, 23 Feb 1997 The Snowy's still observable at the
Christian Science Church at 16th and Denny in Capitol Hill. I watched
this bird for ten minutes this morning, beginning at 10:30. Wow! For
other beginners like me, this is a fabulous opportunity to get an
up-close, unobstructed view of this owl.
The bird was roosting on a ledge on the north (or northeast) side of the
building--as you stand on the sidewalk on Denny between 16th and 15th and
face south, the building's in front of you. I saw the owl just to the
left of the center of the building. The bird remained still until I
crossed to the north side of Denny to lean up against a tree. I threw my
keys on the ground then (no pockets and how else to hold the bins?), and
the owl swiveled its head in my direction, half-opening its golden eyes.
Pretty cool! Novice birder that I am, I never realized that owls (and
perhaps all birds?) close their lids from the bottom. This head-swiveling
and eye-opening happened three or four times over the course of 10
minutes, with the owl rousing itself once to the point of preening
feathers. [Lisa M Smith subplot@juno.com]
Sun, 23 Feb 1997 Thank you Dan for letting me know the snowy owl was back
at the church. My husband and I hustled up there this morning and got a
great look at this bird. We were truly impressed! However, the story
continues when we brought our daughters back for a look around 11:30 am
(just missed you Lisa).
I had looked earlier for a possible owl pellet with no luck but what I
needed were a 9 year old's eyes. We found the shattered remains of one at
the base of the wall and brought it home to look at later. Because there
was no skull (or it was crushed) I can't tell you what the owl was eating
for sure but by the size of the leg bone - it must have been a large
rodent (hopefully a rat). Needless to say, my daughters were thrilled to
not only see this majestic bird but also to retrieve the pellet. And all
right in the city limits of Seattle! [Patti Gotz redquilter@aol.com]
Sun, 23 Feb 1997 A Snowy Owl (an adult female, I think) basked in the sun
at the
Nisqually NWR today. She sat on a stump about 300 yards north
and a smidgeon east of the observation platform overlooking the
salt flats.
With my scope set up, I had the pleasure of showing her to
a couple dozen passersby for about 45 minutes from 11:45 till
12:30.
[James Lyles jrlyles@eskimo.com]
February 23rd - This is Tom Carpenter at 206-283-0798 Also I've seen the
SNOWY OWL off and on this week on Capital Hill, at the Christian Science
Church on 16th across from Group Health. [WOS BirdBox Transcribed by Hal
Opperman halop@u.washington.edu]
There were up to 6 Snowy Owls still present in the greenhouse area at the
foot of 64th last weekend [Boundary Bay, Feb 22nd-23rd]. I would think
there will still be a few around this weekend. [Larry Cowan
larrycowan@compuserve.com]
As the season is getting on, I will pass on the status of Snowy Owls
here. Robert Eden, manager of Dungeness NWR, reported that as of Feb. 23
there were still 4 on Dungeness Spit (fide Bob Boekelheide). [Bob Norton,
norton360@aol.com]
February 24th, This is Tom Carpenter at 206-283-0798.
The SNOWY OWL was once again seen on Capital Hill at the Christian Science
Church across from Group Health. The bird can usually be seen on the
north side of the church atop one of the columns, either to the left or
right of the largest stained glass window. [WOS BirdBox Transcribed by
Hal Opperman halop@u.washington.edu]
[Feb. 24th] After not seeing the Snowy Owl on the Christian Science Center
(15th & Denny) on three previous attempts, I decided to try my luck one
more time. I felt I was pushing it by going in the middle of a sunny day,
but I guess the "gods" were with me.
The bird was perched on the
northwest corner of the church on the carved stone ornaments. Her
beautiful light-brown flecked plumage blended well with the carved stone
of the building. The sun was just hitting her face when I arrived at
13:30. By 15:00 when I left she had become hot by the increasing amount of
sunshine hitting her. She had started panting and moved back on the
ornaments, out of the direct sunlight as much as possible. [Martin
Muller, martinmuller@msn.com]
[Feb. 27th]The SNOWY OWL is still in
the dunes south of the South Jetty of Yaquina Bay, and at least one is
still at the South Jetty of the Columbia River.
[OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Judy Mullally
and I saw one[Snowy Owl] at the tip of Ediz Hook on Feb. 27.
[Bob Norton, norton360@aol.com]
[Feb. 28th] Idaho SNOWY OWLS, two of them, are still
being seen on the Rathdrum Prairie just west of Coeur d'Alene. Both Jeff
Wisman and I saw the birds at the north end of Atlas Road off Hayden Lake
Road, just west of the airport. Check near dusk. You can access this by
taking ID 41 north from I-90 at exit 7 about three miles to Hayden Lake
Road. Turn right and follow it to Atlas. ID DeLorme 60, A1. [RBA: N ID
/ E WA / NE OR Dale Goble gobled@uidaho.edu]
There was a count of 25 SNOW from Friday, Feb. 28. These were counted
along the Boundary Bay area between 72nd and 64th. [Vancouver, BC RBA,
Larry Cowan LarryCowan@compuserve.com]
Columbia Estuary Report, OR
Snowy Owls (2 at SJCR, seen Saturday [March 1st] at ~1530hr)
[Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org]
[March 1, 1997] On the road that crosses the Samish River mouth, six
Snowies at the Samish River mouth, at least two snowies (one very heavily
barred) on the east side of the Whitney La Conner Road approximately a
mile south of rt.20, [Margie Palmer emdp@eskimo.com]
I did see the Bridle Trails Park bird the week of February 17 (don't
remember exactly which day), it has been regular there for some time,
according to the folks in the neighborhood. I believe it was seen as
recently as last weekend. There has also been a reliable Snowy Owl in the
park. It is usually sitting on top of one of the big power poles in the
power-line cut that bisects the park north to south.[March 1st] [Hal
Opperman, halop@u.washington.edu]
[March 2nd] Now seems to be an especially good time to
see Gyr north of Seattle. Stuart MacKay and myself saw three yesterday
(Sunday). The grey adult at Snohomish, and another grey adult and the
brown 1st winter at Samish. The brown bird was especially obliging: we
watched in hunting (unsuccessfully) for a long time around west90. Also
seen: 7 Snowy Owls. [Christopher Mcinerny cmcinern@fhcrc.org]
Anyway, Sunday [March 2nd] we drove the old state highway between
Reardan and Davenport. We saw at least three owls, one was a juvenile on
a utility pole who let us look to our heart's content. Our five-year-old
even rolled down her window and talked to it. Then we saw another snowy
after we got back on the main highway (2). Finally! [Kristi Streiffert.
Coulee Dam, WA streif@televar.com]
Sightings for Sunday March 2 : 23 snowy Owls and a RL Hawk were seen at
64th Ave. in Boundary bay. [Vancouver, BC RBA, John Chandler,
chandler@uniserve.com]
The Snowy Owl was percherd on the northern face of the
Christian Science building again this morning,[March 3rd] 2nd column from
the left. My first Snowy sighting this year! And I wasn't even Birding.
I took my father to Group Health for a doctor's appointment, usually in
the building to the North of the hospital, but the doc moved her offices
to 2 South, right across the street from the Owl. I had a nice warm view
for about an hour. It did a lot of preening and even flapped its wings
once. Of course I didn't bring my binoculars, but who brings them to a
hospital?
[Cliff Drake birder@juno.com]
From the Monday[March 3rd] alert message were reports of 23 SNOW at or
near the foot of 64th at Boundary Bay. It looks that the numbers haven't
decreased dramatically. [Vancouver, BC RBA, Larry Cowan
LarryCowan@compuserve.com]
The snowy at 16th and Denny was there this morning
(Tuesday, March 4th),
looking sleepy and contented. One onlooker commented that his cat ate
lots of urban rodents, and in consequence had acquired a bad case of
worms. He wondered if the snowy was similarly at risk. [John Sidles
sidles@u.washington.edu]
The Snowy on the Christian Science church at 16th & Denny
was still there
today (Tues. March 4th) at noon - the first one I've seen up close.
Terrific! [Jim Lady, jlady@u.washington.edu]
[March 6, 1997]
The KING EIDER, SNOWY OWL, and OLDSQUAW continue to be found at Yaquina
Bay. Two SNOWY OWLS are still at the South Jetty of the Columbia River
[OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
[RBA: N ID / E WA / NE OR: 3/7/97] At least one SNOWY OWL
is still residing along Detour Road, which parallels US 2, about a mile
south of US 2 between Davenport and Reardon, WA. Austin Johnson reports a
single bird last weekend. WA DeLorme 87, C8. [Dale Goble
gobled@uidaho.edu]
Two SNOWY OWLS were still at the SJCR (South Jetty of the
Columbia River) today (845hr) both sitting in the tops of spruce trees.
[Columbia Estuary Report - 3/9/97, Mike Patterson mpatters@orednet.org]
Between 64th and 72nd on Boundary Bay were 20 SNOWY OWLS and 1
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. West of 64th were 2 NORTHERN SHRIKES and 105 TRUMPETER
SWANS. [RBA Vancouver, BC March 9, 1997 John Chandler
chandler@uniserve.com]
March 9 - It's Bill Principe visiting from Los Angeles and there's a Snowy
Owl on the corner of 16th and Denny in Seattle. It was pictured on the
front page of Section B of today's Sunday paper and I drove over there and
there it is! It's on top of one of the capitals along the side of The
First Church of Christ Scientist at 16th and Denny. Looks like an immature
to me. Perhaps a female. [WOS Birdbox, Norton360@aol.com]
March 12th This is getting to be old hat, but I was back
at Group Health today and spent about 3 hours in the waiting room, most of
the time watching the Snowy across the street, still sitting on the same
column it was two weeks ago. (My father had a colonoscopy, and everything
is fine! Yay!) I brought my binoculars this time and what a sight. It
spent most of the time resting, but did a bit of preening, grooming and
scratching. I swear I saw a yawn, too, do birds yawn? Almost as much fun
as watching the owl was watching all the poor birders down on the street
in the rain, snow, hail, sleet and wind that's typical of March. A lot of
Group Health Workers came by to check as well, one woman stopped to check
on "her owl" The whole scene made a dull day much more bearable.
================= [Cliff Drake, Birder@Juno.com]
In late reports for Thursday [March 13th], a RHINOCEROS
AUKLET was at Point Roberts, a PEREGRINE FALCON was at Tsawwassen and 16
SNOWY OWLS were at foot of 64th on Boundary Bay. [Robert Russell,
Russell@racesmtp.afsc.noaa.gov]
The two SNOWY OWLS and a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK remain at the
South Jetty of the Columbia River. A SHORT-EARED OWL was there March 14.
[OR RBA, Harry Nehls hnehls@teleport.com]
Sightings for Saturday March 15 At the foot of 64th Ave.
were a SNOWY OWL, a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK and a NORTHERN SHRIKE. [RBA B.C.,
John Chandler chandler@uniserve.com]
On Saturday, March 15, 10 hardy souls from East Lake Washington Audubon
braved the wet and cold for a field trip to the Skagit Valley and Samish
Flats. We saw 52 species. Highlights included 1 Snowy Owl, 5
Rough-legged Hawks, Bald Eagles, a White-fronted Goose and 1 Trumpeter
Swan with a large flock of Snow Geese; 1 Tundra Swan, Brant, Harlequin
Ducks, 1 Peregrine Falcon. [Joyce Meyer MEYER2J@aol.com]
Snowy owl sightings from Lincoln County:
3-15: One adult male on Bagdad Rd southeast of Grand Coulee.
[MarkJHoust@aol.com]
Columbia Estuary Report - 3/16/97 The SNOWY OWLS are
still at the SJCR. Anybody want to take a guess when they'll be leaving?
The ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK is also still in the area. [Mike Patterson
mpatters@orednet.org]
Sightings for Sunday March 16 A SNOWY OWL was at the foot of 72nd Ave.
[RBA B.C., John Chandler chandler@uniserve.com]
Snowy owl sightings from Lincoln County: 3-18: Sixteen
within a radius of one mile between Davenport and Reardan. This is from
Jim Acton, who has been studying snowy's in this area for about 25 years
now. He has the impression that in mid Marsh they often stage in this
area before they move farther north. On 3-22 he couldn't find any in this
area. [MarkJHoust@aol.com]
Alan Grinnon, 323-3979. On the 21st, the
SNOWY OWL on the church at 16th and Denny [in Capitol Hill in Seattle]
was still there at about 4:30 and again at about 5:00.
[WOS BirdBox transcribed by Lisa M. Smith subplot@juno.com]
Seattle's Snowy was at church today, Sat., Mar. 22nd at
11:00 a.m., just South of Group Health's center on 16th E. She seemed to
be resting nicely despite the chain saw being used to prune the shrubbery!
[Dan Victor, Seattle, WA dcv@scn.org]
Last Saturday[3/22] I saw a Snowy Owl on the Skagit flats.
[Arlen Fletcher fletcher@paccar.com]
The Seattle Capitol Hill Snowy was
seen on the Denny (north) side of the Christian Science Church about noon
on Tuesday[3/25] and again Wednesday[3/26]. It sits on the corner of the
capitals topping the columns (mixed Ionic and Corinthian) below the roof
edge. [Fran Wood fbwood@u.washington.edu]
03-26-97: Hi, this is Tom Aversa, 782-7342. Nothing too
crazy or anything, just...I had 9 SNOWY OWLS today. Five were up on the
Flats, the Samish Flats, a little bit south of where the river crosses
Bayview-Edison. And there were also four on Stanwood across the slough
from Idie Road there. You can see them from there. [WOS BirdBox
transcribed by Lisa M. Smith subplot@juno.com]
Sightings for Friday March 28 One SNOWY OWL and a
EURASIAN WIGEON were 1 km East of the foot of 64th on Boundary Bay. [John
Chandler RBA Vancouver, BC. chandler@uniserve.com]
Pam Sanguinetti, biologist for Dungeness NWR, says that
three Snowy Owls were still present on Dungeness Spit on Saturday, 3/29
(actually Graveyard Spit, the southern extension of Dungeness Spit, a
closed part of the refuge). [Bob Boekelheide bboek@olympus.net]
There were 2-3 Snowys at Catala Spit on Saturday, March 29. One was seen
in the morning from Westport looking across the harbor, two more were in
the dunes in the afternoon.
[Tom Schooley dunlin@mail.tss.net]
Took a 2-hour drive through the flats today [3/30/97]
looking for raptors and Snowy's. Not many of either, but it's blowing
like crazy up here. We saw two Snowys on the Northwest side of the Samish
dike, near where the road crosses over the river. None at the West 90.
[Arlen Fletcher fletcher@paccar.com]
Saw two Snowy Owls in Stanwood [3/30/97] Sunday.
[Jerry Eisner jeisner@ncia.com]
Sightings for Sunday March 30th, 3 SNOWY OWLS and 4 EURASIAN WIGEON were
seen from the Boundary Bay dike between 64th and 72nd. [John Chandler
chandler@uniserve.com, RBA Vancouver, BC.]
April 1997
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Snowy owl sightings from Lincoln County:
4-1: Six together between Creston and Wilbur. Several days earlier there
were 8. Through the winter 2 were regularly seen about 8 miles south of
Wilbur, and another 2 about 6 miles west of Wilbur.
[MarkJHoust@aol.com]
4-4-19: Adult male snowy owl three miles north of
Creston, Lincoln Co.
[Mark Houston, MarkJHoust@aol.com]
I saw the adult Snowy Owl in the southwest corner of the
Colville Reservation on Saturday [April 5, 1997]. The location was T.31N,
R.26E, S.25. [Paul Moorehead pjm@methow.com]
April 6 - This is Stephen Mlodinow. Steve Pink, Jim Flynn
and I went to the Samish Flats. Other highlights included, two Snowy Owls
near the bridge over the Samish River near West Edison and a flock of 21
Tundra Swans. [WOS BirdBox Transcription, Transcribed by: Bob Norton,
norton360@aol.com]
I saw a Snowy today[9 Apr 1997] in the field at Bow, WA
where there have been several over the winter. Only one was seen, close to
the west part of the dike. I could not see a tag on its right wing.
[Jerry Eisner jeisner@ncia.com]
April 9th - Hi, this is Tom Aversa 782-7342. A trip to Ocean Shores... at
Damon Point were 8 Horned Larks and 2 Lapland Longspurs and 4 Snowy Owls
remaining there. [WOS BirdBox Transcription, Bob Norton,
norton360@aol.com]
Snowy Owl Links:
Report sightings on the WOS Birdbox : (206) 454-2662
Send sightings to :
Dan Victor (
dcv@scn.org
)
and Kelly Cassidy (
kelly@u.washington.edu )
Please send any corrections to
Dan Victor (dcv at scn dot org)
)
![[new]](graphics/new.gif)
(added 8-26-06)
![[Snowy face]](graphics/sm-snowy.gif)
Top
![[Goldfinch head]](graphics/gf-head.gif)
Tweeters
![[Small Raven]](graphics/s-raven.gif)
WOS
![[Steller Jay head]](graphics/stlrj.gif)
Cascadia
![[a small Cormorant]](graphics/audubon1.gif)
SAS
![[Snowy Owl photo]](http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/zoo/snowy-owl.jpg)
