I among several others observed the Great Gray Owl this morning (14 Feb), for
about 20 minutes at first light at ~0645-0710hrs. The exact directions are
as follows:

>From I-5 at Burlington, drive west 3.6 miles on Rt. 20 to Higgins Airport
Way;
Turn north (right) on to Higgins Airport Way and go 0.4 miles to Overnell
Road;
Turn left (west) on Overnell and go 0.2 miles.

At first light this morning, the owl was conspicuous, and perched along the
east edge of the woods adjacent to the weedy field about 50 meters north of
Overnell. The owl was alert and rather active, moving to the fence posts and
fence line which runs north. This is truely excellent and classic foraging
habitat for great gray owl. The owl flew back into the edge of the woods but
was still visible in the SE corner. Finally, when everyone (birders) were in
place, the owl came out and perched briefly on one of the steel fence posts
along the north side of Overnell Road. Perhaps a passing car flushed the owl
off that post after a couple of minutes, as it flew across the road, nearly
getting hit by that same car, and disappeared into a patch of dense fog and
into the woods on the south side of the road.

Apparently it was in this same spot where the owl was last seen yesterday
evening. It also seems that the best time is at dawn and dusk. I don't know
what it does during the day, but it hadn't been resighted out in the open up
until noon when I came back by. It may be spending much of the day back in
the woods on the south side of Overnell. If you continue west on Overnell
for another 1/4 mile or so, there is a old dirt road going in to the south
which intercepts a pipeline clearing running east to west. You can park
there and walk in. It's a bit muddy back there and the adjacent woods are
impenetrable with a dense understory and brambles. The owl was apparenty
glimpsed back along the pipeline clearing to the east at midday. The woods on
the south side is NOT posted to trespassing but the north side is. Your best
chances are to probably just make the effort to be there at dawn's first
light or late afternoon to dusk if you want to see it in the open, at least
on bright sunny days like today. Hopefully it will continue to survive the
traffic along Overnell.

A magnificent bird! Good Luck and enjoy!

Richard Rowlett <pagodroma at aol.com>
Bellevue, WA, USA