Hello,

Since January, I've been working on a comparative study of the Snowy
Owls wintering at Boundary Bay and Damon Point. My main interests
concern differences in diet, behavior, phenology, and population
composition. One feature that is strikingly similar between the two sites
is the age structure -- in fact, all the birds are immatures. Similarly, I have
not yet seen an adult in the Skagit/Samish area (though I have admittedly
not spent much time there). Also, both birds that I have seen in the
Seattle area have been immatures.

I've been casually following several e-mail lists over the last few months
and noticed a number of references to adult owls. I even vaguely recall
one report of three adult females together (at SJCR?). I'm wondering if
anybody out there who is confident that he/she has seen adult owls this
year in the Pacific Northwest could e-mail me with details of these
sightings. Specifically, I'd like to know where and when adults have
been seen and how they were identified as adults.

By the way, as of this past weekend the population at Boundary Bay
was down to 25 (14 male, 11 female), while the Damon Point population
is stable at 16 (12 male, 4 female)

Thanks for your help,

Bob Russell russell at afsc.noaa.gov
NOAA, Seattle