I tried sending this twice earlier and the content
did not get across ... so a last try.

I got back yesterday from spending Christmas in
B.C. Drove by Chuckanut Drive and then to
Semiahmoo in fairly wet and gray weather with some
decent birds but the only thing special was a
fabulous look at an adult Peregrine perched on the
Spit and a fleeting view of a Long Tailed Duck (a
target year bird) in Drayton Harbor. Crossed
easily into B.C. and headed to Boundary Bay.
Following info from the Vancouver Hotline I went
directly to the end of 78th Street off of Lander
Trunk Road. On the way in there were enormous
flocks of Wigeon (including many Eurasian) among
many other ducks and MANY gulls ...and oh yeah at
least 30 Bald Eagles, many very close for
viewing. As soon as I got up on the very easy
access path at 78th, the sun came out and Snow
Owls could be seen to the East and West. A couple
of owls were VERY CLOSE and others were not very
far away. Lighting was great and picture
opportunities were endless. Some of the owls were
stationary and others were flying. I am pretty
certain that the count without much walking at all
was at least 16 and possibly 18. At one time
there 7 owls within one binocular view and this
included 5 that were perched together on a single
log. There were also Bald Eagles and Northern
Harriers flying around. Looking in the opposite
direction from the elevated path (dike?) at least
three Short Eared Owls gave great views as they
hunted in the field where they were joined by a
pair of Northern Harriers. Again pretty good
photo ops but nothing compared to the Snowies. I
cannot overstate how easy it was to see the owls.
Stories have appeared in the Vancouver news about
the owls there, so many visitors. I would say the
youngest was 5 months and the oldest in at least
the high 80's...very cool!!

Comments in passing: lots of ducks around in both
areas including 17 species in all. All three
scoters, both goldeneyes, many scaup, Harlequins,
Long Tailed (just one), a Bazillion Wigeon
(including many Eurasian), Mallards, Green Winged
Teal, Gadwall, Canvasbacks, Red Breasted,
Buffleheads and Shovelers. I have also seen
Hooded and Common Mergansers, Wood Ducks and Ruddy
Ducks this week so 21 duck species for the
week...pretty nice!!