Tweeters,

A BOREAL OWL was found about 2:30 PM on Sunday, March 13, at the
Reifel Bird Sanctuary near Vancouver, BC. It was roosting in a Western
Red Cedar right next to the refuge parking lot. The bird was roosting
in the same tree all day yesterday and today, and was seen by numerous
observers. Interestingly, there was also a NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL
roosting higher up in the same tree today.

There is a good chance that the Boreal Owl will stay around for
another couple of days, so those of you that want to get a good view
of this species may want to visit the Reifel Sanctuary soon.

Please note that the Reifel Bird Sanctuary is open to the public only
from 9:00 AM till 4:00 PM. If you want to confirm that the owl is
still present before you leave, you can phone the Refuge office at
(604) 946-6980.
The staff there will probably know. (I'm not sure if the office is
open by 9 AM, but it should be open at least by 10 AM).

This is only the 5th record ever of BOREAL OWL for the Vancouver area
(the 4th was a one-day sighting at Reifel last fall), so the bird is
causing quite a stir locally.

Directions to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary are given in at least 3
bird-finding guides: A Birder's Guide to Vancouver and the Lower
Mainland, A Birder's Guide to Washington, and A Birder's Guide to
Metropolitan Areas of North America.

Other birds you may see in the area include thousands of SNOW GEESE, a
nesting pair of GREAT HORNED OWLS, lots of TREE and VIOLET-GREEN
SWALLOWS, the usual two semi-tame SANDHILL CRANES, and nearby at
Brunswick Point, up to 3 SNOWY OWLS.

Good luck to those who come to look!

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