Hi Kaylynn, my husband and I birded in that area today (Sunday) and saw 2
short-earred owls, 2 harriers, .probably 250+ tundra swans, and several flocks
of Dunlin rafting in a flooded field. A kind stranger showed us the way to
Padilla Bay Reserve and the Research Reserve Center which is very interesting.
Unfortunately, the Center is closed on Monday and Tuesdays. We searched for
Samish flats to see the white owls, but never saw either. I guess we need more
explicit directions/maps. Joan ( j-bakeman at msn.com). Good hunting on your
trip! p.s. watch out for hunters -- a couple with guns, obviously hunters,
told us we probably shouldn't go out birding in that area as "there are a
couple of real wild hunters out there" -- so we didn't go.

----------
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu on behalf of KLYNnCATS at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 1996 10:34 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Location of Big Ditch

>From SAS RBA (Paul Cozens)

In a message dated 96-11-23 23:38:37 EST, you write:

<< Big Ditch appears to be the
best place currently for multiple birds. >>


My friend and I are planning a trip north a week from Tuesday going from
Everett to the LaConner and Skagit area. Have checked maps and found lines
labeled *ditch*, but not Big Ditch. Just how do we locate this spot?
Sounds like too good a location to miss.

Thanks,

Kaylynn VanCamp
KLYNnCATS at aol.com