[Tweeters] Short-eared Owls?

[jimbetz at jimbetz.com]

Hi,

   Last year, particularly in Jan and Feb but well into May - we were seeing
Short-Eared Owls on the Samish Flats and Fir Island.  This year has been
VERY few.  Does anyone know:

   1) Why they aren't here this year?
   2) Where they ARE this year?

   I will speculate on #1 by noting that we had a very long cold spell
this year and it may have affected the vole/rodent population.  ???

   I tried to use e-Bird to answer #2 and failed.  I can get it to focus
on Skagit County -or- on Short-eared Owls ... but not both ... in order
to find "last seen".  What am I doing wrong?
                                                     - Jim in Burlington