Subject: [Tweeters]: Short-eared Owl Show two days in a row.
Date: Feb 17 18:17:36 2008
From: Kevin Mack - kevin_mack at comcast.net
Hi all,
On Saturday I led a field trip up to the Skagit flats and refuge. Our group
was treated to excellent views of Short-eared Owls having aerial duels with
Northern Harriers and with one another from the access at the end of Rawlins
Road. At one point we saw at least three owls and two harriers in the air
at once. We also had a fairly close encounter with a Northern Shrike that
was flying from perch to perch out in the refuge. We had good views of an
American Kestrel on a telephone wire along Maupin road. We also made a stop
at Camano Island State Park and spotted Common Loons, Red-breasted
Mergansers, Common Goldeneyes, Harlequin Ducks, Horned Grebes, Buffleheads,
and other assorted waterfowl.
My wife and I returned to the dike at the end of Maupin Road this morning
and the Owls were still present, and still squabbling among themselves.
Tundra and Trumpeter Swans were moving in waves overhead, and we could see
several thousand Snow Geese heading inland to the east of our position. The
owls were definitely the highlight of both days though. Full trip lists are
below.
2/16/08- Skagit Flats and Refuge
Bald Eagle
American Kestrel
Cooper's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Northern Harrier
Short-eared Owl
Tundra Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Canada Goose
Northern Pintail
Mallard
Great Blue Heron
Rock Pigeon
Northern Flicker
American Crow
Song Sparrow
Northern Shrike
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
European Starling
Western Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
2/16/08- Camano Island State Park
Common Loon
Red-breasted Merganser
Horned Grebe
Bufflehead
Harlequin Duck
Common Goldeneye
Great Blue Heron
Bald Eagle
American Crow
Song Sparrow
2/17/08- Skagit Flats and Refuge
Snow Goose
Tundra Swan
Trumpeter Swan
Northern Pintail
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Bufflehead
Red-tailed Hawk
Cooper's Hawk
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Short-eared Owl
Great Blue Heron
Killdeer
Marsh Wren
American Robin
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Song Sparrow
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Spotted Towhee
European Starling
Rock Pigeon
Kevin Mack
Edmonds, WA
www.goatislandimages.com <http://www.goatislandimages.com/>