Hi again,
The turkeys were released by Tony Breckenridge, (a local sheriffs deputy
and hunter) and members of the Gun Club there at the mouth of the Samish
River. I'm curious to see how long they last out in the open.
Also, regarding gyrs on the Samish Flats this year, I've not seen any
either. Nor has anybody on our crew and we have been out almost every
weekend. Sort of strange. This is the first winter since 1980 that there has
not been one on the Flats. However, it is still not too late and I wouldn't
be surprised to see one show up at any time. The farmers did change the
fenceposts on Field Road and that may have something to do with it. There
are now quite a few out there and the old ones are gone.
More spectacularly, I just heard from a friend that a white gyr was seen
about a month ago near Duvall. He is a falconer and was flying his peregrine
when a white bird flew by and landed in a tree. The guy is very competent,
has been into falcons over 25 years and has seen several white gyrs in
Alaska.
This is only the second record of a white (and not "silver") gyr that I
am aware of for western Washington. The first was shot on McClean Road in
Skagit County back in 1958. I've actually seen that specimen.

Bud Anderson
Falcon Research Group
Box 248
Bow, WA. 98232
360.757.1911