Yesterday I took my sister and brother-in-law to Big Ditch in Snohomish County. They wanted to see a Snowy Owl. We didn't find one there. A couple of WESTERN MEADOWLARKS flew overhead near the dike. A PEREGRINE FALCON perched in a tree. And thanks to the help of my friends Ginger, Amy and Betsy, we observed an AMERICAN PIPIT and a young NORTHERN SHRIKE.

Gary Bletsch had posted about a snowy at North Fork Access on Fir Island. Later in the day we visited that location. This time we fared better. We were treated to 2 SNOWY OWLS. One was a 1st year bird and the second much whiter, possibly an adult. Thanks, Gary.

We also had a SHORT-EARED OWL at North Fork.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA