Hi Tweets -

A Seattle Audubon Society trip today modified the scheduled route to
Samish Flats by heading north to Custer and the site of the Northern
Hawk Owl. We arrived on Stein Rd about 9:45, heard the owl hadn't been
seen and made a quick trip to Delta Line Rd. Nothing there, so back to
Stein Rd. At 9:55 the Hawk Owl was located on a snag just inside the
forest at the southern boundary of the raspberry fields and near the
houses. Good looks were seen by all along, and some other arrivals. The
bird flew to another snag nearby and the group walked in along the
southern boundary for stunning scope views. The bird obliged by turning
around, wing flapping, tail spreading and generally putting on a show.
One of the residents said that he has been hearing the bird at night -
three soft "hoots", silence and then later more three soft "hoots". Life
bird for most of our group.

Back down south to the Samish Flats. At the East 90 we had nice scope
views of several Northern Harriers, several Bald Eagles, a dark-morph
Rough-legged Hawk (south of T), a Prairie Falcon (on pole at T) and a
Harlan's Hawk (north of T). A large flock of Dunlin accompanyed by
Black-bellied Plover were in the field southeast of the corner until
spooked by a harrier. On the way to the corner, we had at least 9 Wild
Turkeys (released flock).

At the West 90 we had great views of Short-eared Owls, Northern
Harriers, Red-tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks (including
an adult male) and a Peregrine Falcon. Lots of other Red-tails around.

Along Thomas Road was a large flock of Trumpeter Swans, calling.

On our way down to Fir Island we had a nice Rufous-morph Red-tailed Hawk
outside of LaConner. Later, we enjoyed approximately 20,000 Snow Geese
immediately alongside Rawlins Rd on Fir Island, staggering sight. Around
the corner returning to Fir Island Rd. we had another flock of
Trumpeters with a couple of Tundra Swans just east of the Jensen Access.

At the Big Ditch, we had distant views of two Snowy Owls and after a
short walk up the dike a closer view of one of them.

All in all a great day, even in the rain (but thankfully no wind) and 50
species.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, WA
bellasoc at isomedia.com
www.peregrinenorthwest.com

Red-throated Loon
Common Loon
Horned Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Western Grebe
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Snow Goose
Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
American Wigeon
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Long-tailed Duck
Bufflehead
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
(Wild Turkey)
Black-bellied Plover
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Rock Dove
Snowy Owl
Northern Hawk Owl
Short-eared Owl
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow
Common Raven
Black-capped Chickadee
Marsh Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
European Starling
Yellow-rumped Warbler (Myrtle's)
Spotted Towhee
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red-winged Blackbird
Brewer's Blackbird
House Finch
House Sparrow