Hey Tweeters,
I birded today in the Snohomish and Monroe areas with Carol Schulz.
The adult Gyrfalcon was in its usual perch, gleaming in the sun and preening.
A stunning bird no matter how many times I've seen it.

The other highlight of the day was in the evening at Two River WMA
near Monroe. I was astounded to see more than 6 Swamp Sparrows at this
location, several of which actually sat up on blackberry limbs for up to 10
minutes giving us scope-filling views of every field mark. All of the birds
were heard almost constantly giving the loud, short "tsip" or "chip" call
note superficially similar to a Black Phoebe. Never have I had such great
studies of this species, or seen nearly this many at one place. We saw as
many Swamp Sparrows today as Lincoln's, which is quite unusual. There was
also a tan-striped adult White-throated Sparrow in the same area, and a
female columbarius Merlin flew over carrying a robin which was virtually the
same size as it. It was a nice, relaxed day of birding. That's about all for
now, good birding.

Charlie Wright
Birdking88 at aol.com
Sumner, WA