N. Idaho bird-watchers lose northern hawk owl

MOSCOW, Idaho — A northern hawk owl wintering farther south than its normal range and thrilling area bird watchers in northern Idaho has died.

Terry Gray told the Lewiston Tribune that the owl apparently was hit by a vehicle Thursday.

Gray had been emailing fellow bird-watchers updates about the owl. One called him to say the owl was lying on Mountain View Road.

Gray said the owl flew to a tree but fell to the ground and was quickly captured.

Gray took the owl to the Raptor Rehabilitation Center at Washington State University Veterinary Hospital, but it died a short time later.

Gray said he asked the hospital to donate the owl to the university’s Charles R. Conner Museum, where other birds are mounted.