July 29, 2002

Dear Tweeters,

Today there were some interesting birds on the Frances Road out of Mount Vernon (Skagit County). At the 90-degree bend in the road with the obvious puddles, a Pectoral Sandpiper kept company with a Greater Yellowlegs and two Western Sandpipers. These four flew off, while a Spotted Sandpiper and seven Killdeer remained. More surprising was a dark Merlin flying around and around the area at about 200 feet altitude, enduring the contumely of Barn Swallows. In the water were a Northern Shoveller and several Cinnamon Teal.

Just east and north, at DeBay's Isle access, it was fairly quiet, except for large numbers of mosquitoes. My son Henry and I did see about 30 Mallards, a Wood Duck or two, a Willow Flycatcher, and some Western Wood Pewees and American Robins. Canada Geese, Mourning Doves, Song Sparrows, Swainson's Thrushes, a Downy Woodpecker, a Cedar Waxwing, an American Goldfinch, a White-crowned Sparrow, a Black-headed Grosbeak, a Bewick's Wren, and a Spotted Towhee were all heard.

Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch

garybletsch at yahoo.com





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