Luce County Hawk Owl, 27 Dec

[Caleb Putnam]

Howdy-

Brett Walker (of Missoula, MT) and I birded Luce county today 27 Dec.  We 
had 1 Hawk Owl (probably the bird previously reported) about 3/4 mile west 
of the north end of Soo Junction Rd, NOT at the end of Soo Junction Rd where 
previous observers have reported it.  We arrived at 1000 hrs at the north 
end of Soo Junction Rd., did not see the bird, so decided to walk west down 
the train tracks to search for it.  The bog opens up nicely about 1/2 mile 
down the tracks.  We spotted the Hawk Owl (with a scope) about 1/2 mile 
south of the tracks at 1100 hrs, from a vantage near a white sign with the 
number 47.  It was actively hunting until 1300 hrs when we left.  The bird 
was VERY difficult to pick out at times, and the hike was in 3ft deep snow, 
so not recommended for the faint of heart or lacking of warm boots.  The 
bird could easily reappear at the dead end of Soo Junction Rd, but I imagine 
you could just as easily wait there in your car all day there and miss it as 
well.

Good Birding,
Caleb Putnam

Caleb G Putnam
Grand Rapids, MI
larus10 at hotmail.com