Hello Tweeters: The last few months I've been spending some considerable
time observing BARN OWLS in the Kent, Auburn, Sumner/Orting valleys. My goal
is trying to come up with as accurate population number that I can. Of
course it will be impossible to document all of these birds yet I would like
to share numbers with anyone interested. Keep in mind, there is nothing
official about these 'surveys' but thought I'd pass on the info to anyone
interested. Since January 1st, I've been able to locate 16 Barn Owls. Some
intersting details include 3 of them hunting in close proximity at the same
time. Those owls were at the wetland just north of Highway 18 in Auburn. Of
the 16 I've come up with to date, 2 of them have turned up dead both by
vehicles. One owl I enjoyed observing for quite some time watching it weave
in between traffic and was sad to find it dead. I've read Barn Owls life
spans are only two years. I've found that hard to beleive and would like to
be corrected if that number is off. Anyways, I'll probably report in a
couple of months addtional Barn Owl sightings in the valley. I've got a lot
of land to cover!!! I'm also interested in Great Horneds in the valley
region also and would very much like to know of sightings/vocalization. Have
a nice day!! Bryan Mathews, Orting, Gr8HrndOwl at aol.com