Subject: Specific directions to the Short-eared Owls across the bridges
Date: Feb 26 19:40:35 2001
From: Jack & Linda Kintner - kintner at nas.com


Someone wanted more info on finding the Owls.

DeLorme, p. 108, B-3

Drive north on I-5 to the "Slater Road" exit, first one past the Bellingham airport, and turn left, or west. There are then two important places to go. First, turn right on Ferndale Road, which is the first major road past the Slater Road bridge over the Nooksack River.

Proceed north and watch for a local pair of Peregrine Falcons which feed on the ducks at the Ferndale Water Works, especially in the cottonwood trees on your right once the road joins the river bank. It's a narrow road and, as in Skagit County, the locals are becoming a little impatient with inconsiderate birders who stand in the road, etc, but of course that's not YOU. These Falcons get a lot of attention as well, so park a phone pole away or so and treat 'em like a colicy baby who's finally asleep.

Then turn around and go back south down Ferndale Road to Slater Road, turn right (west) and go to the first light, turn left (landmark: Texaco station), south, and then take the first right, a 45-degree turn just before a small bridge. This road winds around along a channeled river. Take the first left on Hillaire Road, an unpaved road which crosses a small concrete bridge. By this time you will already have seen numerous red-tails, harriers, eagles and herons. Just past the bridge, last Saturday, I saw an American Bittern from about three feet. It was sitting in the ditch on the west side of the road at the point where the pavement ends.

As you proceed southbound on Hillaire stop occasionally and scan the fields for raptor activity. Then at the end, where it "T's", turn right through an open gate on a primitive road which will take you to the dike. It's fine for two-wheel drive cars and ends up on the dike itself, about ten feet up, giving a great view. Park and enjoy the show. One thing that makes it great is that there are very few lights and little if any noise, so you watch it as dusk falls without loosing your night vision to a bunch of farm lights or traffic and you can hear the owls shriek and clap (they really do!).

Call us if you need more info, but it's pretty straighforward. (360) 332-8286


Jack and Linda Kintner
kintner at nas.com
Blaine, WA