Subject: WA and BC Birding
Date: Feb 12 05:44:44 1998
From: "Scott Hall" - whall at silverlink.net


I wanted to recount my trip this past weekend to the Skagit/Samish flats
and southern BC.

We started north on Saturday morning by crossing on the Kingston-Edmonds
ferry. I was surprised to see a Pigeon Guillemot just off the ferry
landing; a nice start to the trip.

As we traveled north I decided to get off at the Lake McMurray exit to go
east to the valley and travel to Sedro Woolley. As we were getting off the
exit there were several small flocks of Trumpeter Swans flying soutwest so
we headed west instead toward LaConner. Driving along highway 534 (?) we
came over a small rise and in the distance saw what initially appeared to
be a flooded field with the sun reflecting off of it. As we got closer we
saw that instead it was a large flock (~10,000) Snow Geese. As we were
looking at them several people stopped to see what we were looking at.
Also seen along the way a Red-tailed Hawk perched on a road sign (my
girlfriend Becky tried for a photo but was stymied), a Merlin, and several
Bald Eagles.

We continued north to Padilla Bay were we saw several Brant and a large
flock of Widgeon. Afterwards, we followed Farm to Market Road north to
look for the Gryfalcon. At the intersection of F-T-M and Field Road there
were two Harlan's Red-tailed Hawks hunting and feeding. We turned on to
Sunset Road and drove along slowly scanning the surrounding countryside for
the Gyr. I noticed a large gray bird perched on top of a power pole and
stopped for a look. I could see that it was a large falcon, so I pulled
off the road for a better look. I was able to study it for several minutes
at about 75 feet before it flew away to the southwest (must be something
about that direction). Five hundred, finally! The Slaty-backed Gull blew
it! I watched it land and tried to get to another vantage point to see it,
but couldn't relocate it. Later that day I searched in vain for the
Yellow-billed Loon at Crescent Beach.

On Sunday morning I met Michael Price for a look around Stanley Park.
Shortly after we started around the drive Michael and I noticed a loon that
appeared to be somewhat pale. We stopped and looked at it through
binoculars and saw what appeared to be a tinge of yellow on the bill, so we
broke out the scopes. Through the telescope the yellow on the bill was
clearly visible (it may have been the loon that was seen the week before).
We coutinued around looking for the Common Eider to no avail. At the stone
bridge there was a foot race in progress so the Harris' Sparrow was not to
be found.
Michael decided to walk ahead to scout the female Tufted Duck, but soon
returned quite excited as he had located a male Tufted. We were able to
study it a close range 10 to 30 feet for a good while as it was very tame
and mixed in with the scaup trying for the pieces of bread that my girls
were feeding to them. I would add that if you ever get a chance to bird
with Michael jump at it. He is extremely knowledgable, personable and very
accommodating.

Monday we headed to Gibsons for the Xantus Hummingbird (I guess that I am
the last birder in Washington to make the trip). It was a beautiful day;
the trip across on the ferry was awesome. I guess that I am somewhat
naive because I received sticker shock when the attendant gave me the price
($53.75 Canadian). Oh well it was a once in a lifetime chance! We got to
the house at about noon and found a couple there watching the feeders (they
were in town for a visit and came to have a chance to see it). They
reported that she had been there around 20 minutes before and had
flown into the next yard. As we waited I was scanning the neighbors yard
and noticed a movement in the apple tree. I looked through my binoculars
and saw that it was a Sharp-shinned Hawk. I thought "NO, IT CAN'T BE!" I
seem to remember another story about a rare bird at a feeder and a
sharp-shin. We waited for a half hour; nothing. I thought, "how ironic
for the poor little bird to make its way all the way up from Mexico only to
become lunch, make that a snack. Figures, my luck and on the three month
anniversary of its arrival" I could see it now the hummingbird perched in
the apple tree, sun shining off her irridescent green back; then .... The
Pettersons offered hope, "sometimes she is gone for quite a while on these
warm sunny days." I started to look for blood and feathers in the apple
tree, nothing. The ferry was due to leave at 2:30, an hour had passed and
there was only twenty five minutes left.



Another fifteen minutes there were two quick "tiks" and I saw her in the
top of a Maple tree behind the house. Shortly, she came to the feeder and
then flew off behind the garage. We relocated her again perched in a
blackberry bush. The Petterson's were very nice and I really think that
they have been so gracious to let so many strangers (~1100) come to their
house to see it. I don't know if I could be so gracious and kind. They
are really great people!

Afterwards, Becky asked me to help her start a life list. I would probably
start one too if Xantus Hummingbird was the first! I think that she will
have to count that Starling she got all excited about as the first, though.


--- (Becky)--- No... I'll just count that Gyrfalcon that it took HIM 499
prior birds to find as my FIRST!!!