Hi Tweets -

We spent the afternoon on the skagit flats watching the Eurasian Kestrel. I
can't think of a better way to spend a fall afternoon. The bird was where it
was supposed to be, 1 mile north of the Bow POST OFFICE on the Chuckanut
Dr., feeding in a field on the NW side of the drive.

We ran into several birders from British Columbia. Also, Andy Stepinewski
from Yakima came by just before we were leaving. Then Bud Anderson, and a
federal biologist friend, stopped by, and added a great deal of insight
about the rarity of the bird in North America.

Shortly before we left, the kestrel caught a vole or mouse, and flew out on
to the field and sat on mound of dirt. The bird was backlit, and we had a
chance to watch him/her eat the rodent, through the scope, for ten or
fifteen minutes. What a sight! What a magnificent bird!

Bill and Kate
Lake Sammamish
w_rietveld at hotmail.com

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com