After an unsuccessful (and very windy) try to see the Dulles Airport snowy
owl Sunday evening, I arrived at the parking garage around noon Monday. Rich
Reiger arrived at about the same time. After 30-35 minutes of scoping
fruitlessly, I spotted the owl on the 5th (farthest) of the tall light posts,
on the
left-hand light fixture. Did not see it arrive there and have no idea where it
was
up to that time. I called Rich on his cell phone - he was scoping from the
higher level - and just as we disconnected, the bird flew, swooping behind the
buildings directly across Aviation Drive. We were never able to re-locate it
and I hope that later-arriving birders will post if they did. At one point I
did
see a large, pale raptor swoop across the field in front the distant
tree-line. It went to ground - and then I lost it. Can't swear it was the owl.
At least it's certain, after last evening's "miss," that the bird is still in
the area. Good luck, all...
Leni Friedman
Arlington/Bluemont
