Hi Tweets! i am back on line after a 2-month vacation (note new email address).
Yesterday, just before noon (Sun., Jan. 7, 1996), I found a large (2000) flock
of Snow Geese along Fir Island Rd., 100 yds east of the Bl.-crn Night Heron
roost. The birds were as close as 100 ft. from the hwy and many were carrying
red neck bands. While trying to read these bands, I found 4 small Cackling
Canada Geese (Minima?) and then a small white bird, foraging among the geese.It
was an American Avocet! In addition to the obvious rarity it strikes me that
this bird was using the large flock of Snow Geese for protection, having lost
its own flock during migration? I have not seen avocets feeding in a grassy
field before. Any comments? (forgot to mention this was in Skagit Co.).
Clark Blake phone: (360) 650-3595
Department of Geology fax: (360) 650-7302
Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA 98225