Hi Tweets,

Here are some highlights from birding on Tuesday, 4/23, in Skagit County. On
a walk of the loop at SWR near Conway, I had a very curious, fearless Merlin
perched up right next to the trail, then a Sharpie, and a very ragged
looking Peregrine soaring up with several RTHA, 9 Bald Eagles in the late
morning thermals. Sparrows included White and Golden-crowned, Savannah, and
Song. Out by the bay, Marsh Wrens were creating a din of territorial song, a
flock of Green-winged Teal were foraging in the small slough, Lesser
Yellowlegs were swirling by, and what I thought might be a single Willet at
a distance. Along the south end of the loop, I had 4 warbler species
(Yellow-rumped, including a pretty even distribution of both Audubon and
Myrtle, then Orange-crowned, Black-throated Gray, and Townsend's), a single
Pacific Slope Flycatcher, plus several Rufous Hummingbirds in territorial
display. Later in the afternoon from Dodge Valley, I had another Merlin, a
Northern Harrier doing loops, and 2 Golden Eagles within five minutes of
each other, an immature and adult, soaring up and likely migrating together.
Overall, throughout the day, I was struck by the significant migratory
movements of raptors as the day warmed and thermals became available for
lift. If you're out and about, remember to look up. It's happening out
there,

Good birding,
Joe Mackie