Barry Levine and I headed up to Bow yesterday to see the Eurasian Kestral.
Our timing was perfect, we arrived around 11 and the bird had just been
located about 1/2 hour before. I had great looks at the bird both perched
and flying. It looked to me as if the wings were longer than American
Kestral, giving an almost nighthawk-like quality to its flight. This was not
as noticeable as the longer tail, but added to an impression of a different
bird than its American cousin. Watching it dive, hover and soar was a
thrilling site, I hope it does well here.
As an added bonus, we got to rub shoulders with a "Who's Who" of Northwest
birders. I got to see Gene Hunn and Ruth Taylor again, and meet Ruth and
Patrick Sullivan, Rick Romea, and several other Tweeters. Someone should
publish a "Guide to Northwest Birders" to help identify these folks in the
field, along with helpful ID tips (the two Ruths are best separated by
vocalization).
On the way back home we stopped by Everett Sewage Treatment ponds. I was
somewhat surprised to see Long-billed Dowitchers still hanging around, and
we had a nice variety of waterfowl including many Ruddy Ducks and Shovelers,
and scattered Mallard, Pintail, Gadwall, Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup,
Buffelhead, Coot, and Green-winged Teal. The biggest surprise was the large
number of Canvasbacks, over 100 by my count, and I'm sure I missed some
females on the far edges of the pond. We scanned the Bonaparte's Gulls but
no Franklin's to be found. All-in-all a great day in the field!


Jack Stephens
jsteph02 at sprynet.com
Edmonds, WA