Hi Tweets -

Had a good morning today on the Samish flats at Bud Anderson's Winter
Raptor Count. Interesting birds, and the presentation by Nature
Conservancy who has digitized the past data was great. Neat to be able
to view by species or year and see distribution patterns.

Because I was in the area the afternoon was given over to Falcon
hunting, along with a lot of other folks. First off was a Merlin on
Persons Road - always difficult because they move around so much. Next,
a Peregrine north and west of the West 90, pretty bird. Then a tip from
Ed Deal, the Prairie was over near the East 90. Nothing immediately
obvious, then someone said a bird flying left to right. In the scope, it
was a falcon - there the black axillars. Onto the Field Road 90 to see
if the Gyrfalcon was there - nope, but Cinda Langjahr and her group just
came down the hill from the Merlin and saw a female American Kestrel on
Darcy Road (made there 5th falcon). Off to Darcy Road, and on the wire
was the female Kestrel. With four for the day I've been here before.
Back to the Field 90 and hoping for the Gyr. Nothing obvious in
scanning, so I thought I would work my back to the West 90. As I drove
up Church Road, I slowed and looked back across the fields to the dirt
lump the Gyr had been perched on earlier. Well son of a gun - there she
was, hiding down behind the top of the dirt (couldn't see her from the
Field 900, nice scope view. NO. 5 YAHOO!! Back to the 90 to let the
folks there know. Just then Bud drove up and the Gyr had flown to the
nearby fence post. Good light to see a beautiful bird. This was
particularly satisfying, as it just seemed right to have that nice grey
morph be the fifth falcon, and a great finish to the day.

With all the folks out today, I am aware of quite a number who had five
falcons today. Wonder how many?

Good birding.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com