Subject: Snohomish/Skagit Counties
Date: Dec 7 18:56:51 2002
From: Marv Breece - mbreece at foxinternet.net


Today (12/7/02) I reached Skagit Wildlfe Headquarters when it would have
been daylight but for the fog. I parked in the first lot and headed down
the dike trail. There was lots of sparrow activity, including a tan-striped
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW and a SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. No luck with SWAMP
SPARROW. There seemed to be more PURPLE FINCHES than usual, especially
males. There was a flock of about 20 PINE SISKINS in the trees. As I left
for Big Ditch, a NORTHERN SHRIKE sat on a wire near the exit.

At Big Ditch, I crossed the water and turned left into the trees. Across
the stream was a GREAT HORNED OWL perched in the open. Further down the
trail, a SHARP-SHINNED HAWK left it's perch and flew overhaed. I heard a
VIRGINIA RAIL and a GREATER YELLOWLEGS and saw a flying WILSON'S SNIPE. On
the road out of Big Ditch another NORTHERN SHRIKE flew by.

Back at Skagit Wildlife about 2:30, the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was perched in
the large deciduous tree near the headquarters residence. It stayed put
long enough for several birders to view the bird.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seatle, WA