Hi Tweets -

A Seattle Audubon trip to the Samish and Skagit Flats today experienced
wonderful weather. Clear, sunny and calm. Started out cold, below
freezing but warmed to mid 40's at least.

The day started out well with the Gyrfalcon on a post at the Field 90.
Shortly afterward we had a Peregrine Falcon make an attack on Dunlin on
Bayview-Edison Rd near the Samish River. Between we had probably seen a
dozen Bald Eagles and half a dozen Red-tailed Hawks. We stopped at the
East 90 to scan and had a falcon come in a warp speed across the fields
toward the West 90 (about 5 feet off the ground) with an attack on a
huge flock of Dunlin (no success). Just after that we had two falcons
following each other, probably the Peregrine and maybe the Prairie.
Another falcon circled high to the south and back to the east, dropped
down and made an attack on the Dunlin flock which had moved east of the
East 90. Possible kill, but a Bald Eagle took off after the falcon
(Peregrine) and nearly caught it.

Down to the West 90, where we learned we had just missed the Prairie
Falcon. Great looks at a beautiful immature Rough-legged Hawk on a post.
Lots more Bald Eagles, plenty of Red-tails and Northern Harriers. We
circled back to D'Arcy Road and had great looks at a male American
Kestrel at the intersection with Bayview-Edison Rd.

A little later we had a falcon shaped bird in a tree near the
intersection of Field and Thomas Roads. Inspection thru the scopes
showed a probable dark Taiga Merlin which obligingly showed us all
sides, flexed and spread its tail and was most cooperative. (Maybe got a
picture of it.)

We continued to cruise the Samish Flats in search of the Prairie Falcon,
but it eluded us. We had to be satisfied with approximately 35 Bald
Eagles, about 25 Red-tailed Hawks, 8 Rough-winged Hawks, several
Northern Harriers, swans, ducks, loons and grebes from Wharf Rd on
Samish Island and assorted passerines near the big manure pile off of
Alan West Rd (near T-Loop), including a probable American Tree Sparrow.

We left the Samish, cruised down to the Skagit, had 8 Black-crowned
Night Herons in "their" tree, and approximately 15,000 Snow Geese at a
distance in the refuge area.

A great day, 63 species (plus two possibles), great views of many and
sterling mountain views.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, Wa
bellasoc at isomedia.com