Barry Levine, Marvin Cooper and I had a wondrous day birding in Whatcom and
British Columbia today. We started at the Stein Road location on my third
attempt at the NORTHERN HAWK OWL. The third time proved not to be the charm
for me, the bird was not in evidence, so we pressed on to North Vancouver in
search of the BRAMBLING. After a few minutes wait at the North Vancouver
location (1961 Berkley Ave.) the BRAMBLING appeared and gave great looks at
the backyard feeder. We then headed off to the 2nd and Wylie location, and
again after few minutes we were fortunate again and found two CRESTED MYNAS
in the alley way behind Wylie Road. Back in the car and off to Richmond,
where we located six LONG-EARED OWLS off the exercise pathway at Terra Nova
Park. Heading back south, we stopped at the Burns Drive location in Delta to
scan for gulls. Out of a large flock of Glaucous-winged Gulls, we spotted a
dark-mantled gull that eventually showed streaking across the neck and a
smudge around the eye, confirming the identification of SLATY-BACKED GULL.
Feeling flush, we headed back across the border and back to Stein Road. At
last, the NORTHERN HAWK OWL was found along the southern edge of the
raspberry field, just north of the red barn in the top of a broken alder
tree. After leisurely looks and a pleasant chat with the owner of the barn,
we returned home. I had seen LONG-EARED OWLS before, but the other fours
species were all lifers for me. Great birds, great friends, great weather; a
great day in the field.


Jack Stephens
Edmonds, WA
jstephens62xx at home.com
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