Unfortunately it was past 16:30 when my fiance, Joselynn and I saw the Red-shouldered Hawk on our trip into the Skagit on Tuesday. We had been walking down the dike and had missed the bird, but on the way back in the growing dusk we spotted a Great-horned Owl. The owl flew from its perch and struck the Red-shouldered Hawk which was perched just above eye level on the far side of the patch of trees. We saw enough to ID the bird, but not much else due to the darkness.

No Orange Bishop either

Nor Tropical Kingbird

We did have several Merlin, two large Falcons in the distance, probably Peregrines. Two other Peregrines, and only two Rough-legged Hawks. We had two very dark Red-tails, one was basically black with just a hint of chestnu/brown hue to the feathers in the right light.

15,000 + Dunlin in the air between Edison and Samish Island. And anyone who hasn't seen the Snow Geese off of Fir Island Rd has to visit the Skagit, if for no other reason than to see these thousands upon thousands of birds.

Thank you Carol and Charlie for the Short-eared Owls, Joselynn's first.

Drew Wheelan

Maple Falls, WA

amazilia55 at yahoo.com



---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now