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Post by tmanson on Oct 11, 2008 21:15:26 GMT -8
Hi all: Ryan and I trekked down to Hart's Pass, outside Mazama, Washington today. The scenery was spectacular, and we had two views of the Hawk Owl one, fairly distant, just past Meadow Campground, just after we arrived, and another, about an hour and a half later, between the campground, and the Hart's Pass turnoff, closer, but still not close enought to get a decent picture.
The rest of the birding was fairly quiet, with a flyover look at a Green Heron near the Noochsack River, and Pileated Woodpecker, Dark eyed Junco, and Sooty Grouse up on the Mountain.
I imagine the Hawk Owl will stick for awhile, but the question will be, how long will it be accesible at over 5000 feet elevation. Today, there was about 3 or 4 cm of snow at the very top past the campground, but all roads were still drivable. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
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Post by Gord on Oct 11, 2008 21:55:10 GMT -8
Glad you got him Thor and that Ryan was able to come along.
This is not the first Hawk Owl in Washington. I always wonder why they seem to pass us by. Or is it they just hang out higher up and just dont get found. Im aways watching on Cheam Ridge for one!
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Post by murraybrown on Oct 12, 2008 8:08:45 GMT -8
Good work, Thor. I had a feeling you would have him in your sights! Too bad you couldn't get a closer look, as like most of the diurnal owl species, Northern Hawk Owl usually will allow a close approach.
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Post by tmanson on Oct 12, 2008 8:33:36 GMT -8
Murray, and Gord: The bird, for a hawk owl, seemed a little jittery. On the other hand, it is hunting season down there, and there were a number of hunters in the area, some with dogs. Have to admit, I didn't hear a shot the whole time we were there, though.
West of Williams Lake, I remember walking right up to a N. Hawk Owl, as it was perched at the top of a tree.
When you look at where Hart's Pass is, Canada is very close by. This is especially noticeable when you drive by the American side of Ross Lake, and know that Hope is just down the road. Be nice if there was a road connection through this natural corridor. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
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Post by tmanson on Oct 12, 2008 9:19:34 GMT -8
Further to Hawk Owls in southern B.C., this owl is inhabitating a burnt over habitat, very much like the one Jason, and I visited, when we were chasing a Hawk Owl, outside Bend, Oregon. It must like the expansive views of the ground from the top of a tree in a burnt out area. The closest one I know about in this region, is up by North Bend/Boston Bar. Unfortunately, as Murray, Brian, and I found out this summer, they now have the road to this area blocked off. If there are other accessible burnt areas, locally, it would be interesting to check out. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
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Post by murraybrown on Oct 13, 2008 9:59:38 GMT -8
I dont know if you guys are aware, but a N. Hawk Owl was found a few years ago near the mouth of Wigeon Slough in Coquitlam one winter. It is the only one I'm aware of in the lower mainland in southern B.C. As Thor points out that is a very wide open, marshy environment.
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Post by ryjay on Oct 14, 2008 17:12:20 GMT -8
Looks like this year is a good one for Hawk Owls, on the vancouver island message group, there was one seen at the beginning of october there. Also one in whistler was seen too. So who knows where the next one will show up.
Thanks for taking me along Thor, Im glad I got to add Hawk Owl to my life list.
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Post by Gord on Oct 14, 2008 21:20:40 GMT -8
I didnt realize where Heart's Pass was. It isnt too far from here either. I also did not know of the other Hawk Owls around so Ill continue to keep an eye out especially in the habitats mentioned in these posts.
Congrats to all who saw it!
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