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Lopez shorelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3
JEM Jazz Trio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4
Sheriff’s log Anne Willis photo
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Snowy owls on Lopez? By Cali Bagby Journal reporter
The majority of San Juan county residents have never seen a snowy owl in their neighborhood, but as more
of these birds are spotted in the region, it may be possible to see white wings gliding through the air. Snowy owls have been spotted throughout Washington
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wide open spaces and even pastures in the San Juans don’t harbor many rodents, while other areas are and other states this too marsh-like. fall, said Barb Jensen, Another reason the president of the San Juan snowies stay away is Islands Audubon Society. that land surrounded This irruption, which by water may be difrefers to an abnormally ficult to get to, but large number of birds, Jensen heard of a includes snowies spotted report of a snowy in Connecticut, Maine, found on Hawaii in New York, Vermont, November. Illinois, Michigan, If the birds are Minnesota, Missouri and doing any island hopNorth Dakota. ping they might head In Washington, sightContributed photo to the south end of ings of snowies range Archimedes — the adult male snowy owl at the Cascades Raptor Center Lopez, said Jensen. from Skagit County to the in Eugene, Ore. Russel Barsh, Pacific Coast. director of Kwiaht, the “It has to do with food,� Most of the recent sight- in 2011. Lopez-based Center Jensen said. “They go where ings are of juvenile snows, so “They hardly ever stop for the Historical Ecology of the food is.� it’s possible the adults snows here on the islands,� she said. the Salish Sea, said he has Biologists think the owls’ are kicking younger birds out “When we do see them, its not heard of any reports of sudden upsurge south from of their Arctic territories, said most likely in November on snowy owls on Lopez. the Arctic occurs when lem- Jensen. American Camp or San Juan “I used to see them every mings are in short supply, The snowies will stay in Valley.� winter when I lived on according to the Washington Washington or wherever There are reports of at Samish Island, though, flyDepartment of Fish and they find food throughout the least 10 snowies at Boundary ing across the flats at night,� Wildlife Service. winter and head to the Arctic Bay, which is almost directly Barsh said. across from Orcas Island. in the spring to breed. And they are a sight to see. But Jensen doesn’t see the Snowies have striking yellow Jensen has only had one unconfirmed report of a islands as an ideal place for irises and are the heaviest snowy owl on San Juan Island snowies — the birds prefer
Lopez Island Historical Society Annual Meeting Sunday January 8, 3pm Lopez Historical Museum Please join us for a "behind the scenes" tour of our new collections area, and learn about our exciting plans for 2012. Please call 468-2049 for more information.
SEE OWL, PAGE 8
Open season on traffic signs? By Cali Bagby
Each island tends to have a signature when it comes to traffic sign damage. On Lopez, vandalism involves bullet holes, but on San Juan the tendency is simply to pull signs out of the ground and leave them on the side of the road. On these islands and Orcas, San Juan County Public Works has had to clean signs shot with paintball guns. The damage often occurs during certain times of year, like during Christmas break and graduation, according to Russ Harvey.
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“Right now we only seem to have bullet hole problem on Lopez,â€? said Harvey, Public Works’ operation manager. “Sign vandalism is part of our regular routine, but shooting a sign is more ominous ‌ and just irresponsible.â€? This is not the first time signs were found with bullet holes. In February, someone fired several rounds of ammunition into a stop sign near the intersection of Airport and Shark Reef roads. SEE VANDAL, PAGE 8
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