In a message dated 98-01-31 00:19:45 EST, you write:

<< However, I live in Poulsbo and I am
interested in trying to see the CARACARA, could you give me directions?
I know how to get to Neah Bay, but once there? How do you get to the
places the bird has been seen? I have never birded this area. >>

I am posting this response to TWEETERS because of probable general
interest. Neah Bay is not very large and all sightings have been in Neah Bay
with the exception of it being seen (from Neah Bay, presumably) flying out
towards the Waatch River flats twice. We tried driving the streets to the
south of the bay and the Waatch River circuit but I am sure the beach area is
the most likly to be productive.
The Burlingames not only discovered the CARACARA but have been keeping
tabs on it daily. Their phone number is: home 360-645-2274, his work number is
360-963-3242. You might call them after you get there if you have any problem
finding the bird.
A good first stop is the General Store. You can visit the public bathroom
and shower building there. Just to the east is the Cape Motel. The CARACARA
sits high in snags at that area and even comes down on the ground. Continue
west keeping a watch on the beach and the posts and driftwood and also for any
likly perched bird on snags to the south (because of the large head and beak,
it resembles an eagle perched twice as far away as the bird actually is). Stop
at the parking lot just opposite the large fuel tanks at Makah Fuel and scan
snags to the south. It perches high to get a good view of activity indicative
of carrion on the beach (I would presume). Go as far as the Senior Center at
the west end of the beach and then repeat the process. It is distinctive in
flight and I would look at anything large that is not obviously a crow or a
gull. When it is not obvious, we don't know where it is. We tried the town
dump but only had a RED-TAILED HAWK.
Bob Norton
Joyce, Wa
norton360 at aol.com