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We let one slip through...



Hi C-birders,

I guess we're not doing a good enough job looking for winter invaders, 
guys. I mean, first a Common Eider shows up at Cape Canaveral, and now 
this? Without either of them being seen in the Carolinas on their way 
south?

========================================================

Hello,

An immature Snowy Owl has been found at St. George Is. State Park in
Franklin Co., FL (Delorme Atlas, p. 61). The bird has been present at
least since yesterday. Park staff reported it us and others yesterday and
were reasonably sure of their ID. Other birders confirmed it today, and
now I'm trying to get the word out.

Please pass the word around, and good birding.

George

George E. Wallace
Regional Wildlife Diversity Conservation Biologist
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
3911 Hwy 2321
Panama City, FL   32409-1658
Tel: 850-265-3677
Fax: 850-747-5690
E-mail: wallacg@gfc.state.fl.us

_______________________________

Subject: Snowy Owl at St George I, FL. FYI & RFI
RickLWest@AOL.COM 
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 20:05:18 EST

FYI -- Thought GA birders would like to see this just before the weekend.
Jim Cavanagh photographed this Snowy Owl.  He says it has been seen
consistently for three days (Wed - Fri).  Just ask the Park people where the
bird is.  The rangers are watching over the bird to protect it and the dunes
from undue disturbance.  More details below.

RFI -- Jim may put his photo and a short article in the local newspaper.  We
wonder if any other Snowy Owls have been seen in the SE this winter.  Is this
an "invasion year?" If so, please respond to me.  This is the first
documented FL record, but this species has been reported in prior years in
FL, GA and AL.

Rick West
_____________________________
> ---------------------------
>
> Jan Adkins and I went over to St. George Island as soon as I read the
> posting about the owl this morning. It was still there when we left the
> island around 2:00. It was hunkered down on a rather high dune about 
> 500 ft. west of marker #7. The dune is just about half way between the 
> water and the road. There is scrubby growth on the top.
> While we watched the owl, there were a kestral, a peregrine and a
> red-shouldered hawk cruising in the area. Must have been as mystified 
> as we to see a snowy there in the gulfside sand!
> The rangers are nervous about people walking on the dunes when the word of
> the exotic really gets out there.
> An interesting note: the people who discovered the owl on Wednesday are
> staying in the campground and make it their business to pick up trash when
> they see it on the island. They thought the owl was a plastic bag stuck in
> the scrub till they got up close and personal. They are not birders, 
> but had enough good sense to report the owl to the rangers.
> Kate Malone
> katebirder@digitalexp.com
>
> -------------

- FLORIDA STATEWIDE RARE BIRD ALERT

Phone: 561-340-0079 (for taped message and to report sightings)

* Compilers: Hank and Dotty Hull

* email: Dotty_Hull@prodigy.net

SPECIES MENTIONED

SNOWY OWL

An immature SNOWY OWL was first seen yesterday, 12/9, at St. George =
Island State Park. It was present today at 3:30 P.M., 3.5 miles east of =
the entrance, The owl was on the south side of the road on a high dune =
about 500 ft. west of marker #7. The scrubby dune is about half way =
between the water and the road. Walking on the dunes is prohibited and =
the area will be patrolled and the rule enforced. From Apalachicola, =
take Rt. 98 east to Eastpoint and take Rt. 31A south to the State Park. =
De Lorme p. 60, C3

========================================================


Joshua S. Rose
Duke University
Department of Zoology

jsr6@acpub.duke.edu
http://www.duke.edu/~jsr6/