Tweeters,

We spent the afternoon birding at Reifel National Wildlife Sanctuary, south
of Vancouver, BC on Saturday, February 5th. Approaching Westham Island on
the Ladner Trunk Rd. we enjoyed seeing three separate kettles of twenty or
more soaring Bald Eagles. Arriving around 2pm, we easily spotted the
Northern Hawk Owl that's been wintering along the Westham Island Road, near
the first 90 degree bend to the left as one approaches Reifel. Just before
turning into the Sanctuary, we stopped and watched a pair of Merlin perched
in the alder trees that line the road.

Typical for a dry and calm Saturday afternoon, the refuge was packed with
Canadians, both human and avian. Sanctuary staff were on hand to direct us
to the two Great Horned Owls and three Northern Saw-whet Owls perched in
conifers along the first pitch of the trail, as you head out
counter-clockwise from the visitor's centre. After passing the tall
observation tower and turning to walk the outer dike trail, we had a nice
view of a Short-eared Owl perched on a short piling out on the marsh.

Some of the other birds we saw at and near the sanctuary Saturday include
Northern Harriers, Coopers Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Shrikes,
Black-crowned Night Herons, Sandhill Cranes, a Mute Swan, and lotsa ducks
and sparrows.

Returning Sunday, we tracked down what seemed like most of the Skagit Snow
Goose flock on Polson Rd., off Dry Gulch Rd., just north of Fir Island Rd.,
west of Conway.

Mary Bond & Ira Zuckerman, Seattle