Tweeters,

Over the last couple of weeks, I have received several private
inquiries about precise directions for the two GREAT GRAY OWLS which
have been in residence near Vancouver, B.C. Because both birds were
still present last weekend, and because some Washington birders may
still be interested in coming to look for one or both birds, I am
giving more exact directions here.

(1) Great Gray Owl #1-- near the University of B.C., Vancouver
(present since January 20)

This bird has been seen regularly and frequently in the same area for
about 6 weeks. It ranges over an area at least 500 metres by 500
metres. It has been seen most often near the parking lot of the BC
Research offices, located on Wesbrook Mall about 300 metres south of
16th Avenue (about a mile, or 1.6 km, south of the main UBC campus).
It has also been seen frequently perched in alders along the east side
of Wesbrook Mall between 16th Avenue and the BC Research offices. If
you don't see it in these areas, check a little farther south along
Wesbrook Mall, and along South Campus Road, which leads to the west
from Wesbrook Mall about a block south of BC Research. When I saw the
owl in late January, it was hunting from low trees and fencelines on
the UBC Farm, which occupies a large opening in the forest just south
of South Campus Road.

Persistence may be necessary in looking for this bird, although it has
been seen almost daily since January 20. It does not spend all its
time perched in the open, and often retreats into the forest for long
periods of time. I saw it the first day I looked for it, but it took
me 2 hours to find it. One observer took 8 tries before he saw it, but
this is atypical. If you can spend 2-3 hours looking for it,
especially early or late in the day (I would suggest 7-10 AM or 3-5
PM), your chances of seeing it are good. This bird has been seen by
more birders than any other Great Gray in Vancouver's birding history.

This area is busy on weekdays, with a lot of traffic; weekends are
better for looking for the owl.

The same bird, apparently, was seen in Stanley Park from Dec. 14 to 28
and in Jericho Park from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2, before it relocated to the
University of BC area. I've seen this owl on 2 of the 4 times I've
looked for it in 3 different spots.


(2) Great Gray Owl #2-- Colony Farm Regional Park, Port Coquitlam
(present since February 12)

I have not seen or looked for this bird, but I believe the directions
below are reasonably accurate. The bird has been seen repeatedly on
the northwest part of the Wilson Farm section of the park, on the east
side of the Coquitlam River, near the edge of the adjacent forest. To
reach this area, head east from Vancouver on Highway 1, and take Exit
44 (Highway 7B, United Boulevard), and stay in the right-hand lane.
Follow the signs for Highway 7B, which will lead you through a traffic
light and a right turn onto the so-called "Maryhill Bypass" (Highway
7B). At the next set of traffic lights, about 1 mile farther along,
turn left onto Shaughnessy Street. About 0.6 miles up Shaughnessy
Street is a parking area. From here, take the trail west toward the
Coquitlam River, and then northward along the river to the area where
the owl has been seen. Seeing this owl requires about a 1.5 to 2 mile
(return) walk, as opposed to the UBC bird, which can be seen from your
car with patience.

Please keep a respectful distance from these birds if you do see them,
and if you must take photos, do not closely approach them, and don't
use a flash. Both birds seem to be doing well despite being sought by
scores of birders.

Strongly recommended is the "Birder's Guide to Vancouver and the Lower
Mainland" (2001), edited by Catherine Aitchison and published by the
Vancouver Natural History Society, It is available from ABA Sales,
local bookstores in Vancouver, and, I'm sure, from Flora & Fauna Books
in Seattle. It includes a map and description of Colony Farm and 30
other Vancouver-area birding localities. Also recommended is the
MapArt book of street maps for Greater Vancouver (136 pages, including
indices) and available for about $10 or $12 in almost all bookstores
and many gas stations. This or another good set of maps is essential
in this rapidly-growing urban area.

Good luck, owl finders! I saw my first Great Gray in Skagit County in
1974, so it stands to reason that quite a few Washington birders
should be finding their life Great Gray Owl in B.C......


Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net