Tweeters,
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Today, Jan Sharkey and I made our first visit to Damon Point this winter to see the Snowy Owls.? We saw five individuals between 12:15 and 1:30 pm, with all of the birds being forced to change perches one or more times because of the heavy viewing pressure from the many people walking around and trying to get closer photos or better looks.? Unlike Sarah?s experience yesterday described in her posting, we saw little sign that the birds were oblivious to human presence.? It was really quite disheartening to watch folks creeping closer and closer to the owls, and then flushing them repeatedly.? We departed at 3:00 pm, with only two of the birds still visible, those being perched in the tops of two trees.? I find it amazing that any of the owls choose to remain on the Point with this amount of disturbance.
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Gary Wiles
Olympia, WA
wilesharkey at yahoo.com