[obol] Barred Owl- Washington County

[Norgren Family]

    I just stepped outside and heard
a BARRED OWL. It has been months since
I've detected one here. They nested here
two springs ago, and once the young were
fledged they were available for viewing
on demand the entire months of June and
July. Last year they all but disappeared,
what few times I heard calls were at a
great distance.
    This is the time of year I generally
start hearing them. No Screech Owls yet.
They often get vocal here by Feb. 20.
But I suspect there hasn't been snow on
the ground here March 1 other years.
No hummingbirds either. Everyone, but
everyone, has gotten RUFUOS Hummers
at their doorsteps but me now. I even
put the feeders out for the first time
in February. Bonny Slope is about 15
miles east, and someone posted one there
days ago. The one at Welches was at twice
the elevation of my house. The earliest
date I have recorded here was March 7, and
usually closer to March 16.
     Despite decades in Oregon, the Barred Owl
remains a near stranger to Washington County,
whose avifauna is so often characterized by
absences. Oregon's second most urban county
is at least 30% forested, so there's no lack
of habitat. There's been sporadic evidence of
them on our property for longer than I can
remember, probably ten years. The arrangement
of houses and driveways here makes it easy
for unannounced owl prowlers to check without
disturbing any humans. Inquire off=line for
details.       Lars Norgren