Today, Mar. 1, about 35 birders from the E. Lake Wash. AS (ELWAS) wnet on a
four 1-5p.m. Nature Cruise from La Conner. Some of us birded on the wet,
windy morning on the way to LaConner via Norman Road, Boe Road, Stanwood
Sewage Ponds and Big Ditch Access. Highlights of the 25 species observed,
included the usual Bald Eagles, Black-crowned Night-Herons, thousands of Snow
Geese, about 200 Trumpeter Swan, one Northern Shrike and a Northern Harrier
taking down an American Wigeon.

The cruise started out with rain and wind, but improved quickly until we had
some sunshine the last couple of hours. The cruise went up the Swinomish
Channel to Padilla Bay, around Hat and Saddlebag Islands and back.
Highlights of the 35 species observed, included over 100 Oldsquaw in groups
of 2 to 20 in Padilla Bay, over 200 Brant, three grebe species, two loon
species, three cormorant species all on one large rock and two Peregrine
Falcon. All in all it was a great trip enjoyed by everyone despite some
adverse weather at the beginning.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA