Subject: [Tweeters] More Snowy Owls Mason County
Date: Nov 30 16:42:09 2005
From: bill shelmerdine - georn1 at hotmail.com


Greetings Tweeters,

Today I made brief stops at a couple of spots in Mason County while en route
to other locations. There was at least one, and almost certainly two Snowy
Owls near the mouth of the Skokomish River along the shoreline of Anna's Bay
at the southern end of Hood Canal. Both birds were seen from a pullout
along Highway 101 just south of Potlatch State Park. It is a long distance
scan along the shoreline south and east from the last pullout before the
highway leaves the waters of Hood Canal heading south. This is the delta of
the Skokomish River; the river mouth is out of site from here in the far
south eastern corner. While these birds may be closer to Highway 106 (Purdy
Cutoff, toward Union), they were not visible from that side. The one bird
that was readily visible was a very pale bird along the shoreline. To
hazard a guess, I would expect this one to be an adult, perhaps a male. The
second (probable) bird was up on the dike to the south and west. It
appeared to be on the ground and largely obscured by tall grass. If you are
looking to see Snowy's well this is not a good bet. Though I have not
visited the Snowy's at Luhr yet, it sounds like the birds there are probably
(much) closer. A scope is necessary, a sea kayak or canoe would be even
better. (This is a great sea kayaking area by the way, with much wildlife,
usually calm waters and little (no) current).

Among the many birds on Anna's Bay were at least 8 Black Scoters (a high
count for me there) and many Brant. I did not spend long here so there
could certainly be something more interesting out there.

Also, in the category of the one that got away, there was a very intriguing
hawk further up on the Skok delta. This bird was seen from Highway 106, and
was in a large open tree (cottonwood?) toward the far tree line. Even at
distance (and it was a long way) the bird had a long tail, which appeared to
be striped black and white. When I moved up the highway to get a better
look I could not relocate it. My first impression was possible
red-shouldered. The size, shape and posture looked good and the tail
suggested that species. The habitat in that particular location looks about
perfect. Ah well, something to look for.

Good Luck and good birding,
Bill Shelmerdine
Olympia WA
mailto: georn1 at hotmail.com

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