Subject: Snohomish Gyrfalcon, finally!
Date: Dec 21 16:44:06 2003
From: Kathy Andrich - chukarbird at yahoo.com


Hi Tweeters,

Today I recieved my Christmas present, some quality
time observing the Snohomish Gyr, a life bird and one
I have spent some time tracking down. I probably
tried for this bird close to a dozed times last year
with no success. This was my second try this year. I
observed him/her for over an hour this morning around
11am to noon. No other birders were present! 2
people honked but did not stop.

I first saw the Gyr in the first snag by the farm with
the poplar windbreak. I spent a lot of time looking
at it's back but it was very actively looking around
so many good looks at the face as well. The way the
bird was sitting the wing/tail comparison was
difficult. I really wanted to see this field mark but
the buffed up shoulders (very muscular look), and
barring on the feathers didn't leave a lot of doubt.
After about 20 to 30 minutes it flew down toward the
blackberries toward the poplars and quickly went back
to roost. It was turned sideways then and I was
surprised the wings were not as short as I expected.
About 4 bars on the tail up. The barring on the back
was beautiful. About 10 minutes later the bird
"locked on" to something further up the road and took
off. A Red Tailed Hawk was flushed up and then the
Gyr cruised back where the hawk flushed but did not
land. I am not sure but suspect the hawk was feeding
and the Gyr wanted a free meal. Then the Gyr went to
the snag up the road and preened.

The directions to the Gyr are roughly as follows:
Hwy 9 North from the south end where I live to the
first Snohomish exit. Go right and through town, turn
right on Lincoln street which will drop you down out
of town. Then about a mile or so away you will see
one of "those" paper tree farms on the left. Around a
corner is the farmhouse with the poplar windbreak on
the right. The first roosting snag is right there
near the end of their driveway. The second snag is up
the road a bit in the same field. This area is
mentioned on page 176 of the Birder's Guide to
Washington.

Signed,

One Happy Birder!!

Kathy

Kathy Andrich
Roosting in Kent
chukarbird at yahoo.com


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