Greetings, Thanks to Tom Aversa and Steve Gerstle, a Seattle Audubon field trip got excellent views of a remarkable bird yesterday on the Samish Flats. They not only stopped to alert us as we were ID-ing Tundra Swans near the Skagit Hdqtrs but also returned to the Samish area later where we were sifting through a flock of 500 or so Pintails, GW TEal, Mallards and American and Eurasian Wigeon as we were doing the birding version of Where's Waldo? After they relocated the bird we were able to find, lose and re-find the object of our dogged search.

If you go to look for it, remember that the flock moves around. We found it a mile north of where they had last seen it. The individual was hard to find at first because it shares, superficially, characteristics of the mixed flock. It's a little like each of the other species.
Eventually, the difference in head color and shape, gray sides, overall pattern and of course, those wonderful falcated tertials become become multiple targets for you eyes.

I hope you'll go to see it. Steve and Tom said that it's only third record for the state, and one of those was bird a hunter brought in. Please remember to respect the rights of other users of the roads. Pull completely off the road, and stand on the gravel to use your optics.

Good Birding, Alan Roedell (206) 522-0809