The Great Grey Owls have been nesting at the Quail Run golf course north
of LaPine, Oregon, for at least the last five years. My Portland Audubon
birdathon group saw the male behind the number 2 tee this May --what a
treat. The nest, which was on golf course property, is now off the course
on private and inaccessible land.

If you go to view the owls, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE check in at the
clubhouse first. If they say you cannot go onto the course, which has
happened occasionally as they are running a business, don't do it. The
course is very proud of its owls and had been given awards for
environmental practices, but if they are overwhelmed by obnoxious and
trespassing birders, they WILL shut down access--it has come close to
happening in the past, and this would be a bad
situation for all. The course superintendent (whose name I forget) has
been at times very obliging and at times very unobliging--it depends on
the day you get there and the level of business they are doing. LaPine is
striving toward being a summer resort area, so a visit in APril, seems to
work better than a visit in June or July. Very early in the
morning--pre-golfers--also is a possibility.

It has been noted by some Oregon birders that it helps to buy some stuff
at the snack bar or pro shop--if you golf, play 9 or 18, then the access
problem is not an issue--you've paid to be there. Please be aware that
the course has been relatively birder friendly, and be extremely polite,
respectful, and do what they ask. If you go up there and blow it, you
blow it for all of us.

Thanks
Ray Korpi

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Ray Korpi "Under transient skies
Portland, OR/Vancouver, WA I cannot hobble change,
rkorpi at csci.clark.edu Not now or ever."
President, Oregon Field -William Kloefkorn
Ornithologists _Alvin_Turner_as_Farmer_, #16
**Inquiries on Oregon birds
always welcome**