We had some far away looks at the bird this morning from around 7:30 (we must
have just missed you Pat) to about 9:30. I pulled up with my wife (the
non-birder) and she spotted it within the first 5 minutes (she married irish so
I guess that makes her lucky by default). When we got there though no one had
seen the bird yet, and it did require a scope to positively ID it.
We wound up looking (from packing garage 2) out towards what I'm guessing might
be the international terminal and it was perched on a light. It flew a handful
of times making it even more of a stretch to see with bins. I would recommend
taking a scope or some astro-bins because you're going to need the
magnification. I had my 8x with me and all I could see was a smudge...the scope
really helps.
I'll be back out there tomorrow in the late morning, early afternoon before the
game and I should have a few scopes with me in case its still at the same
distance. If you need more exact info I'd be happy to provide it, just shoot me
an email.
Kevin
----- Original Message -----
From: pdcrane@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, February 04, 2006 8:20 AM
Subject: [va-bird] Snowy Owl not spotted this morning
Jim and I were at the Dulles parking structure from 7 to 7:30am this morning,
and there was no sign of the Snowy Owl. Instead, sitting on the lamp post
where we had first seen the owl was an American Kestrel. Remembering the sight
and size of the Snowy Owl made us appreciate all the more just how BIG it it.
The American Kestrel weighs 4.1 ounces, the Snowy Owl is 4 pounds.
Pat Crane
Vienna, VA
