I got out this morning owling in known owl haunts in the Tacoma area.  Started about 5 AM at the Fife Hylebos waterway spot at the curve on 8th St.  It does not look like the screech owl has been seen there this year and I did not hear one today.  I played recordings for the Barn Owl that is usually there and was just about to give up when I heard its tinkle call from the hillside. It repeated several times, I listened to the “tinkle call” on the Sibley App and confirmed it as nearly identical.  First time I’ve heard that call, and a FOY bird.

Peter W. pulled in with his daughter on their way back from Seatac and I told them about the owl, and he gave me info on how to find the Puget Park Barred Owl.  I dashed over there but no luck at all.  The entrance is just across from Katie Downs Pizza place on Ruston Way.

Next stop at Chamber’s Creek for Great Horned Owl.  I got there just before dawn, and all was quiet.  No response to recorded calls, so after dawn I walked up the hill a ways, and just after sunrise I heard a single GHOW call fairly far up the creek on the hill side.  I birded the area for a while, and a bit later two GHOWs started hooting regularly, likely a male and a female, one higher pitch, one lower pitch.

I spent the next couple of hours stopping at the mouth or Chamber’s creek, FOY Pierce Osprey on the next on the draw bridge, at Sunnyside Beach, nothing special, and then at Ft. Steilacom Park.  At the park I heard several FOY Purple Finch singing, heard many of the variations of YRWA singing and saw lots, heard at least 2 CAQU calling on the hillside behind the lake, and enjoyed a cool early morning sunny walk.