Michael price asked -

> Also concerning the Queen Charlottes, apparently they also are hosting an
> unusually large number of Snowy Owls (SNOW). Sidebar to this is that to get
> there from either the Alaska Archipelago (N -> S) or from the BC Mainland (E
> -> W), any SNOW has to fly over nearly 100 km of open ocean. I guess
> Scottish SNOW likewise from mainland Europe. Unusual species to get on an
> early winter pelagic trip.
>
> Much known or written about this? Any other owl species known to go a-roving
> over the waves?

Short-eared owls have been spotted a few times by Capt. John Anderson of the
MV "Tulley" well off Vancouver I. the past couple of years. Also I believe
Michael Force and Richard Rowlett had this species settle onboard a couple
of times during this summer/fall's surveys off the US west coast, and also
Michael has seen Short-eareds onboard ship near the equator, I believe
(please jump in anytime, Mr. Force). The question should include the
possibility of ship-assisted passage of any non-maritime bird species when
any great distance over water is involved.

- Jack



Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca