My memories of graceful Phainopepla nibbling on mistletoe berries in the
desert sun quickly fading, I set off in the cold semidarkness to check on
Skagit Flats. Neglecting my wife's admonition to "Watch the road, not
birds," I have several Red-tails and a striking Rough-legged Hawk by the
time I get to Stanwood.

At the Big Ditch I can attest to at least 6 Harriers without resightings
from the parking lot. I walk North along the dike to get a better look at
a suspected Rough-legged Hawk, and he provides verification by launching
into suspension in the stiff breeze, and then rotating slowly to show all
of his feathered surfaces. Toward the bay I see several more Red-tails,
including a beautiful dark-phase one. The ducks are far offshore, no doubt
in recognition of hunting season, but I can see the usual Mallards,
Pintails, Widgeons, Buffleheads, etc. A good number of adult and immature
Bald Eagles are also visible. Back at the parking lot I see a flock of
fluffed up Robin sized birds in a small tree. They are nine Meadowlarks!

On the way toward Fir Island I find about thirty Trumpeter Swans in a
field, and then find a big flock of Snow Geese, ironically on Skagit Gun
Club No Trespassing property. Walking the dikes I see quite a few more
Meadowlarks, more Harriers, Bald Eagles, and finally four Short-eared Owls.
At this point, I finally get an overfly from a Peregrine Falcon, but my
hopes for a multi-falcon day grow dim as the rain sets in. Good to be
back, anyway.

Chuck Pell
Seattle, WA
jettran at halcyon.com