[Birdnet] Possible Snowy Owl Sighting

[Tim Avery]

Yesterday, I spent some time scanning out over the Ruddy Duck club from 3200 West, and hoping to talk to someone at the duck club as they left.  I just so happened to talk to the guy who apparently saw the bird a week ago.  He seemed to know what he was talking about.  I agree with Pomera that we shouldn't jeopardize the connection the GSLA has, but would like to point out that there is plenty of area to scan from public roads in this area, and it may be worth looking around, but not trespassing.  

Since the bird hasn't been seen in sometime, it very well may be moving around the area.  3200 West north of 2200 North runs along the east sie of the club, and the road goes a ways north.  2200 West run out along the south end of the club, then veers south to the airport, but still runs along plenty of open fields (although if you are going to scan into the airport grounds, be prepared to deal with security or TSA and explain why you are not Al-Queda).  

The north side of the International Center also has lots of open fields that may be worth checking as well.

I still am planning on contacting the president of the club to propose something, that wouldn't be "throwing open the gates for birders.".  I think that for the right price we could get some access for one afternoon or morning, or something without disturbing the club members, and "disturbing sensitive species" (sorry I find this a joke since this is a hunting club).  But that is all dependent on whether or not there is actually a Snowy Owl roaming around out there.

Good Birding

Tim

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Pomera Fronce 
  To: birdnet at utahbirds.org 
  Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 12:09 PM
  Subject: [Birdnet] Possible Snowy Owl Sighting


  Hi Folks -

  You may have heard the rumor of a possible Snowy Owl sighting on the Salt Lake CBC last Saturday.  Let me tell you what I know.

  The bird was not seen by any of the CBC participants.  It was reported to the CBC team in the area by a hunter they happened to encounter while they were out counting.  So at this time we have an unconfirmed sighting.  I am in the process of trying to determine who the observer was so I can approach him about documenting his sighting to the National Audubon Society and the UOS Records Committee.

  Unfortunately, the birding community at large will not have the opportunity to look for this bird.  The area where it was seen is all private property and the landowners do not plan to "throw open the gates for birders."  The area is also fraught with security and sensitive-species issues.

  The birding community is now on good terms with the people who own this land.  They usually graciously allow our CBC count team access to their property each year for one day only although for some reason not this year.  We don't want to do anything to jeopardize our relationship with these folks.

  Thank you for your understanding and for being respectful of this situation.

  Pomera Fronce
  Salt Lake CBC Coordinator


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  _______________________________________________
  Birdnet mailing list
  Birdnet at utahbirds.org
  http://utahbirds.org/mailman/listinfo/birdnet


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition. 
  Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.4/1188 - Release Date: 12/17/2007 2:13 PM
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://secureserver.securesites.net/pipermail/birdnet/attachments/20071217/5a04330e/attachment.htm