On Tuesday, Jan 16, a group of Tacoma birders, including Betty
Heitman, Sally Hill, Ken Brown and the writer, drove to Deer Lake Park in
Burnaby to view the GREAT GRAY OWL.

The GGOW is easily seen in the field on the west side of the park
off Royal Oak St. The bird is quite tame so that we were able to view it
within 12 paces while it flew down from a low post, captured a vole, chewed
off the head and consumed it in one gulp. We continued to observe the bird
for about 30 minutes as it flew about and perched in nearby trees.

We then proceeded into downtown New Westminster and located several
CRESTED MYNA. They were located on the ledge below the cornice of the red
brick New Westminster Bldg. at the corner of Columbia and Begbie. These
are best observed from about half-block down Begbie towards Front St.
Reportedly, there are only 10 to 15 breeding pair left in the metropolitan
Vancouver area, down from some 20,000 birds in the 1950's.

Riding our string of good sightings, we drove on to Reifel Range to
view more owls, waterfowl and raptors.

In order to miss the Vancouver traffic mess, I suggest that
Washington birders cross the border at Blaine, cross over to BC 15 at the
first exit, drive north to the Trans-Canada Highway, then west to Exit 33
to Deer Lake Park. Check with the Vanccouver RBA at (604) 737-3074 for
updates on the availability of the most recent sightings.

Good birding,

Tony Kroha tkroha at halcyon.com
8308 63rd Street W (206)566-1724
Tacoma, WA 98467
****Each day in the field, birding or fly fishing,
adds a day to your life span****