Hi Tweets:

Clarice managed to help with the Skagit County raptor count Saturday
while I (drat) had to be at O'Hare in Chicago. But, the two of us
made it back out to Skagit/Samish flats for good birding on Sunday.

Two notables:

There is a new Dept of Wildlife access point that is west of the
headquarters access and just east of the ditch where the black
crowned night herons lurk. Its a dirt road running south along side
of the brush (lots of sparrows) and ending at a small parking lot
where there is an abandoned house to the west and a large barn to the
south. On the north side of the barn, just below the peak of the
roof of the part of the barn that faces north, there is a "spar" that
sticks out (such as for attaching a pulley). On Sunday, and again as
we were driving home on Monday, this spar was a peregrine perch.
Pretty bird with a very dark hood. Good looks both times, and it
probably is a good spot for the bird to tuck up out of the wind. Far
enough from the parking lot that you need a scope, however. Perhaps
to become another easy peregrine spot, now that this is open?

Also, at the headquarters area there was a song sparrow with
decorations. A red band above a blue on the left leg, and a yellow
band above the aluminum one on the right leg. Anyone know who is
studying there?

Otherwise, a good birding Sunday. All we counted were raptors: 35
bald eagles, 26 red tails, 10 rough legs, 6 northern harriers, 1
Cooper's, 2 short eared owls, and a coyote. For the falcons, we
didn't get a fiver: 2 peregrines, 1 kestrel, 1 merlin, and 1 prairie
(thanks Nancy and friend for pointing it out). No luck with the gyr.
We did study the dirt pile and the fence posts between Field Road and
Sunset Road for a long time because there were two grey birds on the
ground, but they were both adult male harriers. After quite a bit of
loafing they even got into a half hearted tussle.
Jerry Broadus
P.O. Box 249
Puyallup, WA. 98371