winkg@vice.UUCP (Wink Gross) (01/22/85)
Yesterday, we drove around Sauvie Island, which is at the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers just north of Portland. Despite the sometimes dense fog the birding was occasionally spectacular. For example: ca. 1000 Canada Geese, in one large flock ca. 500 Snow Geese, with the Canadas 30 Tundra Swans, in small scattered groups 3 adult Bald Eagles 1 (2?) Rough-legged Hawks 10 Red-tailed Hawks 1 Northern Shrike There were also countless "Gulls, sp." as well as Wigeon, Pintail, Kestrel, and "sparrows, sp." According to Portland Audubon's "Rare Bird Alert" (503-292-0661) a Blue Jay and a Snowy Owl have also been sighted recently on the island, but we were unable to locate either. (Hey, it's a big island.) This is evidently an invasion year for Snowy Owls, at least here in the Pac. NW. Is that true elsewhere in the lower 48? Wink Gross Tektronix, Inc Portland, OR