Hi Tweeters:

Today, Sat., Oct. 12, 1996, the Official Skagit Winter
Birding Season began:

Between about 5:00 and 6:00 PM four V-flights of Snow
Geese (20-80 birds each) flew above the dike at the Skagit
WRA North Access (west end of Rawlins Rd. on Fir Island,
DeLorme p95, B5), heading south to points unknown around
Skagit Bay and beyond - can many days spent freezing atop
the dikes and at the West 90 be far behind?


Other notable notes: Lummi Flats area was crawling with
Rough-legged Hawks (well, actually they were flying,
hovering, and perching) all over the place. AND one
surprisingly late Osprey, and one surprised American Bittern.

We were told by a knowledgeable local birder that it is
advisable to get a permission letter from the Lummi Tribal
Business Office if you want to explore and bird the dike
roads southwest of the intersection of Kwina and Hillaire
Roads (DeLorme p.108, B3). The gate is open, and there are
no signs, but this is Tribal land, and official permission
helps avoid hassles.

Cheers, and good birding,

Gary DuVall
Seattle, WA