I headed back up to March's Pt. Road last night to see if I could relocate
the mystery bird that could be a Ross' Gull from Sunday but had no luck.
Several factors were working against me. The tide was in and most of the
gulls in the area were roosting on the islands along the Swinomish Channel.
Even with a spotting scope it was impossible to make out any specific
markings on them. I spent about an hour and a half watching for the gull,
between 5:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

The trip was not wasted though, what trip birding ever is? :) I saw three
Caspian Terns, one that was very vocal. It kept flying to a point behind me
to the west, nearer Anacortes and would call very loudly, then it would fly
back over my head and patrol the water some more. I also saw a Killdeer and
a Belted Kingfisher. The Great Blue Herons were in large numbers roosting
on the islands near the gulls.

It will be a couple of days before I can make it back out there but I may
try Friday night. However, at this point I believe my sighting is chalked
up with a permanent question mark! If only the bird would have done another
fly by or landed. Ah well, such is the life of a birder......

Cathy Wise
cathy.wise at attws.com
Marysville, WA