Hi Tweeters,

I went to Boundary Bay in British Columbia today with Barb McDowell and her sister Becky. Accessing the marsh at the 72nd St. entrance, we soon spotted the first of several SHORT-EARED OWLS. It's difficult to be certain how many we actually saw while we were there. Barb though at least 8 individuals and I thought maybe as many as 10, but there could have been even more. They were constantly soaring in and out of view, so I couldn't be sure that I wasn't double counting. We were able to see them on both sides of the dike. Walking SW along the dike, we spotted a group of birders in the distance near the shoreline. When we finally reached them, we were treated to views of 4 SNOWY OWLS. At times it was possible to see both species of owls at once. Very cool! It might have been easier to access the spot from 64th St., but I'm not sure as I had never birded there before and am not certain where that access point is located. The area was full of numerous other species of birds as w!
ell.

We also went to Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Apparently there has been a very cooperative N. Saw-whet Owl hanging about, as recently as yesterday, but we couldn't locate it. We did get nice looks at a pair of BARRED OWLS. A nice 3 owl day! It was my first time at the sanctuary as a birder, and I have to say that it was really different getting mobbed by 4 species of ducks and A. Coots at the same time. They are used to being fed there. Chickadees landed on us and even the fox sparrows hopped up for hand-outs. Canada is a friendly country.

Good birding,

Lonnie