Hi Tweeters,
It is 4:40 pm on Thursday, just getting dark, and I am listening to the
first courtship calls of the local pair of Great Horned Owls. I am amazed
that they always begin calling here on our property (Samish Flats) between
Christmas and New Years. For the last nine years it has been like
clockwork. I assume they can sense the days getting longer already even
though it is only a week after the solstice.
To me, this is always the first sign of spring. Pussy willows will be
out in another 2-3 weeks.
On another note, I saw a very rare light-morph Harlan's Hawk today. I
have only seen two others in my life. It was sitting on a pole on Edison
Loop Road off Bow-Edison Road about a quarter mile west of the Rhododendron
Cafe.
From the front, it appears to be a typical immature Red-tail, except
that its head is too light, almost like a Rough-leg. Lots of white feathers
mixed in with the brown. It will catch your attention. The tail is typical
Harlans however. In this case, there is a thin band of red at the tip with
a large, white dorsal surface in the center extending up the entire tail.
Beautiful bird and a plumage seldom seen.
The only thing that I found odd was that the eye appears light (like an
immature) instead of dark (like an adult). I have seen a few adult
Red-tails with this feature in the past, so I assume it is not too out of
place. Anyway try to see this bird if you are up here.
Happy New Year,
Bud Anderson
Falcon Research Group
Box 248
Bow, WA 98232
bud at frg.org
(360) 757-1911