Hi Tweeters & INWBers-
Sorry for the delayed posting. On Friday, from about 12:00 - 1:00, I
had great looks at the Northern Hawk Owl previously reported on the
lists. After about 45 minutes of looking in other directions, I
walked down from the fire lookout to the first pulloff on the way
back down the road. And the Hawk Owl was right where Gina Sheridan
reported seeing it on Thursday. Follow the directions up to the top
of Salmo Mountain, and then keep an eye out around the pull-out just
a little bit before the parking for the fire lookout tower.

When I was there, the Hawk Owl seemed very curious and kept coming in
closer and closer until the zoom on my scope was unnecessary. It
didn't stay in one place for very long, but was generally pretty easy
to pick up on again given its tree top & snag propensities.

Finally, as previous posters mentioned, be sure to check weather
reports - on Friday it was dry and cool up there, but the rains of
the weekend likely meant snow up there and the road probably won't be
easily navigated much longer.

Otherwise, the only other notable sighting I had up there were 10+
Pine Grosbeaks in a few small flocks.

Directions: Delorme p. 119 A-8, WA ABA guide p.481-3. From the n. end
of Sullivan Lake, take FR 2220 about 18 miles, then turn left onto FR
270 [If you miss this turn, you'll be at the end of FR 2220 in
another couple tenths of a mile, so just backtrack to the first
turnoff] - Follow FR 270 2.2 miles up to the fire lookout. The
pull-off closest to the Hawk Owl was the last one before the parking
lot, at a switchback.

Good birding,

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA
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