I operate the Seattle Light Rail during the night shift (until approx. 2am) and let me tell you, there are many urban Barn Owls out there. The sit along the elevated portion of our tracks. Rainier Beach has them, Duwamish River, and up near Pacific Hwy/ 154th which is close to the airport. Along my commute home, most nights I encounter them along 167 either flying or perched. Occasionally near Southcenter Mall. I live in Orting, so I'm on 162 and usually see them every night. (of course i'm looking for them). Sometimes as many as 7 individual birds in a 3 mile stretch. I've also encountered them near Safeco Field. They definately use the railroad corridor to hunt. Bryan, orting.

----- Original Message -----

From: "David Hutchinson" <flora.fauna at live.com>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 2:35:22 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Urban Barn Owls

Don't know if this helps or not Adam, but there are definitely urban Barn owls around, though not always as visible as one would like in summer. I saw one in winter near the Burlington Northern tracks west of Interbay. Another came out of the Queen Anne Green Belt and flew off under the superstructure of the Aurora St Bridge. Recently, in the process of gathering info about Barred owls, a person described a late Fall owl which came out of the power plant machinery at Gasworks and hunted around that park. It sounded not unlike a Barn Owl to me.
And finally, of course, they do nest adjacent to and hunt around, Discovery Park.
Best, Dave

--
David Hutchinson, Owner
Flora & Fauna: Nature Books
Discovery Gardens: Native Plants

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