Subject: [Tweeters] Short-eared Owls @ the Lumi Flats
Date: Mar 4 20:25:03 2006
From: Morgan Rohde - dnme at hotmail.com


Hello all,
I thought I would share a spectacular afternoon excursion with you all. We
headed out from Bellingham late on a beautiful sunny saturday, about 3 P.M.
Thnking of winding up to Semiahmoo. Taking the slow route up Marine Drive
and around Lumi Point. Not much to see; the tide was way out. A few
Bufflehead and Goldeneye (didn't botther to ID any further).

We decided we would swing out through the flats so turned left on Kwina then
pulled off on the dirt road at the corner of Kwina and Hillaire. Pulled over
right after the paved section because we spotted a Short-eared Owl. Then
proceed to hang out there for half an our to 45 minutes becuse there were
probably 6-8 Short-eared Owls around. Wow, they are fun to watch. Also,
saw 4-5 Rough-legged Hawks, a couple of Red-tailed Hawks, 4-5 Harrier Hawks
4-5 W. Meadowlarks, numerrous Song Sparrows, a Marsh Wren (Heard lots) and
a few Flickers. We were mostly watching the Short-eared Owls, though.
Needless to say we never made it to Semiahmoo because we spent so much time
watching the owls. We simply did the loop of Kwina, Hillaire, and S Red
River then boogied home because it was getting dark. There were so many
Short-eared Owls out. It was so much fun. We must have seen at least 20.
We, also, added another Rough-legged Hawk, 5 more Red-tailed Hawks, 6-7 more
Harrier Hawks, a few Northern Pintails, a few more song Sparrows, and a
Coyote.

How great to get all that when trying to squeeze in an short afternoon
jaunt. Go out and see 'em if you enjoy that.


Thanks.
Fun Birding.

Morgan
Belllingham
dnme at hotmail.com