Dennis Jones, way way back on February 10, 1997 (I am just a wee bit behind)
posted a very interesting weekend trip report that I'm hoping for some
follow-up on.
In part:

["...We had received additional information about a group of 12 GREAT GRAY
OWLS in a field just south of Tetonia, ID, on the eastern border with
Wyoming.... The sun had not yet set as we observed 10 of the 12 GREAT GRAY's
perching, flying, and catching prey.... To locate the GREAT-GRAYS, drive
south out of Tetonia on ID-33, continuing straight south on Cache Rd.
(unfortunately no street sign) when the highway turns east. Proceed through
some woods another =BE miles until a large open field appears in the middle
of the woods. The owls were located in the trees around the open field on
both sides of the road. Incredibly impressive...almost as impressive as the
setting sun turning the western flanks of the Tetons blood red with its
waning light...."]

This is a road trip worth doing just for that experience alone! I know...
summer has hardly even started yet, but I am already beside myself and having
serious thoughts towards launching eastward to perhaps encounter such a Great
Gray Owl bonanza next winter. Just one GGOW in the Okanogan is always fine,
but a whole truck-load (or meadow full) would have to be seen to be believed.


I have some questions:
(1) Is a concentration of GGOW's near Tetonia and maybe similar locations a
normal event, or was the winter of 1997 unusual in this respect?
(2) There was a *key glitch* (or secret code??) in the original message.
How many miles is 'another "=BE" miles through the woods'??? Any additonal
tips or directions for the Tetonia location??
(3) Are there any other known and relatively accessable and predictable
winter concentration areas in Idaho, Montana, or Western (interior) Canada
where Great Gray Owls may gather in similar "large" numbers??
(4) Would it be too much and absurd to even ask the same question (3)
regarding Northern Hawk and Boreal Owls as well???? I would have previously
thought so with respect to GGOW which I'd always assumed as being anything
but communal, but I guess not.

Drooling with envy :-Q...and many thanks!!

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue, WA
(Pagodroma at aol.com)