Subject: [Tweeters] Owls & Rhinos @ Discovery Park
Date: Jul 12 12:06:38 2013
From: Michael Fleming - michaelfleming01 at gmail.com


Yesterday I spent the late morning and early afternoon birding a
few areas in Discovery Park. Just offshore from the Westpoint
Lighthouse there was a large gull congregation actively feeding and in
amongst them I counted 35 RHINOCEROS AUKLETS. A little bit of a
feeding frenzy and was quite exciting to watch.
Later I observed two BARRED OWLS in the wooded area just to the
northwest of the parking lot at the visitor's center. One of the owls
was being harassed by a WESTERN TANAGER that was making a lot of noise
but definitely keeping its distance.
This was a day that there were groups of kids (and their leaders)
exploring the park; probably some type of Nature Discovery Expedition
for these guys. There were 4 or 5 groups that traveled by while I was
watching the owls, most of the kids were about 5 to 11 years old. I
was able to point out the owls to each troop as they passed by and it
was great to watch their reactions to the sightings (group leaders
included). It made this "oldster" feel good to see the "youngsters"
get so excited looking at owls. Who knows maybe there will be some
future birders come out of these groups.
Also, I had one singing HUTTON'S VIREO in back (south side) of the
visitor's center.

Cheers and Good Birding;

Michael Fleming
Ballard, Washington
michaelfleming01 AT gmail.com