Subject: Re: The *Death March*; LSSP CBC
Date: Dec 21 23:39:48 1997
From: PAGODROMA - PAGODROMA at aol.com


97-12-21, Gene Hunn writes:

<< Another good owl grove is the exotic conifer patch just south of the
entrance to the boat launch parking lot off the Redmond-Issaquah highway (or
whatever it's called), ne corner of Lake Sammamish State Park. I've seen
Barn Owls in there in years past and, I must check my records, maybe years
ago also a Long-eared.

Gene Hunn.

PS: I take it, no Swamp Sparrows?
>>

It's called East Lake Sammamish Parkway now. I periodically check that owl
grove along the road at the LSSP boat launch. I've never found any
encouraging sign in there other than a pellet now and then which I've come to
kind of think came from maybe a Red-tailed Hawk. Those pines are much taller;
an owl in there will definitely be 40 feet up or higher, and it's really hard
to see much in the crown. I know some time back, occasionally someone would
see and report a Barn Owl in there, and I'm still taking a look-see from time
to time, despite the obnoxious traffic & noise right along there.

Another good area that looks 'hot' to me is right across the parkway (east
side) from there and the boat launch, in the LSSP Hal Jenson Youth Camping
Area. Lots of clumps of cedars look good for harboring Saw-whets, and just
generally looks like it should be kind of owlly. I've still never gotten
around to exploring over there yet; in part because the area is right behind a
house, and somehow, my running around in there maybe making owl noises,
especially at night, makes me a little nervous. OTOH, if my renditions of
Barred Owl are so perfect as they are '-), even better than the owl itself
(they've been known to take lessons y'know and we've been known to carry on
such incredible conversations face to face '-), then I guess I shouldn't
worry, huh. For Saw-whets, one could root around in there any time during the
day. Just be mindful of where or how you park, especially DON'T block the
mailbox or the gate.

Nope. No Swamp Sparrows this time. Virtually no sparrows at all over there
in the grassy willow-clump studded *deep wet* marsh, the usual area, south of
the LSSP boat launch. This must not be the year for Swampies. I don't think
I've even heard mention of one at all this Fall. --Richard

Richard Rowlett (Pagodroma at aol.com)
47.56N, 122.13W
(Seattle/Bellevue, WA USA)