Due to a fickle forecast last weekend, I ended up taking a group from my
"Owls of Washington" class out each morning this weekend. Saturday's group
came over to Bainbridge on the 0135 ferry from Seattle, while Sunday
morning's group got to sleep in a bit and took the 0210 boat over.



Weather both mornings was similar with respect to temperature at 38 degrees.
Both mornings had some wind, with Saturday morning having a slight wind from
the SE and a steadily dropping barometer. Sunday morning the wind wasn't
noticeable until we went off Island. The barometer was also steadily rising
Sunday morning. The sky was partly cloudy both nights, and the moon was
waning at moon day 25 and 26 at 21% and 13%.



Both groups got good looks at Northern Saw-whet Owls (NSWO), heard the male
advertising tooting call from several individuals, and heard other saw-whet
calls as well. They also got a close lengthy look at a Barred Owl (BDOW)
and saw and heard others. Off-Island, both groups concluded the morning
(night?) listening to a Northern Pygmy Owl, (NOPO) though with the wind on
Sunday morning, it was a bit more challenging.



Saturday morning's group also heard a Barn Owl (BNOW) scream at one stop,
and several got a quick look at one as it did a fly by at another. Sunday
mornings group got to witness a pair of BDOW caterwauling. Neither group
was able to solicit a response from the only known Western Screech-owl on
the Island.



Totals for Saturday: BDOW-3, NSWO-7, BNOW-2, NOPO-1

Totals for Sunday: BDOW-8, NSWO-7, NOPO-1



J. Acker

Bainbridge Island, WA

Owler at sounddsl.com



A voice unspoken (or unwritten) is a voice unheard.

Be heard!