On a family trip to Vancouver this weekend, I had time to do a little casual
birding. Highlights included first-of-the-year-for-me NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED
SWALLOWS and BARN SWALLOWS at Iona treatment plant, along with a large flock
of 50-60 AMERICAN PIPITS. At Reifel Refuge the best by far was full-scope
views of three baby GREAT HORNED OWLS, along with unusually high numbers of
GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWS. As always the WOOD DUCKS at Reifel obliged with
fantastic views, too close for the binoculars to focus. For those who
haven't been, Reifel is a magical spot.


Jack Stephens
Edmonds, WA
jstephens62 at attbi.com
Use FRS 11/22 when birding the Pacific Northwest