Hi, Tweets

This is getting embarrassing! This morning, with another nice day promised
and an extra observer along, I again went out to the Snoqualmie Valley to
see my first-of-the-year turkey vulture. Ha!! This is not to be, evidently.

First we went to the eagle roost on the West Snoqualmie River Road (which I
couldn't find Sunday). There were, as promised, lots of bald eagles
sitting around; actually 14, in all. Thirteen were immatures, one adult.

We then turned around and drove south as far as Carnation Farms (Nestle
Farms now?). No turkey vultures, but by then we are getting a good count
of redtails plus another pair of eagles near their nest (north of the
farms). No ospreys at the Carnation Marsh.

Then back up the east valley road to the prison farm where there were a
variety of ducks including ring-necked, green-winged teal, mallard, wigeon,
northern shoveler, plus Canada goose and d-c cormorants; probably others,
but I was driving and don't have the notes Ann took at hand. More redtails
and an eagle or two. Nothing seemed to be migrating, just hanging around.

Further north at the Cherry Valley wildlife units we saw 3-4 more eagles,
all adult, and 5-6 redtails, but no turkey vultures. Also heard a Virginia
rail. That's about it.

In my yard I still have varied thrushes and the pileated is happily singing
his song, but my one hummingbird must have continued north.

Cheers, Diann
___________________________
Diann MacRae
Olympic Vulture Study
22622 - 53rd Avenue S.E.
Bothell, WA 98021
mailto: tvulture at halcyon.com
http://www.halcyon.com/tvulture/