Hi everyone,

Just wanted to note that Marissa Benavente, Penny Rose and I were in the
Skagit today and saw 5 Barn Swallows. Perhaps the same swallows that Carol
Schulz saw yesterday near Bayview on the WOS trip. These were a bit further
north - just north of the intersection of Bayview-Edison Rd and D'Arcy Rd.
This is on the south end of the Samish flats.

Also had a great time seeing other species. Not many falcons, but quite a few
of probably my favorite one - Peregrines. One was near the West 90 and two
were along the bay (Fidalgo?) on the east side of March Pt peninsula. We
spotted one sitting on a piling WAY out in the bay. It sat there as several
eagles flew around interacting and scaring the bejeezus out of the flocks of
ducks. Eventually one eagle apparently bumped the Peregrine and chased it.
Bald Eagles are amazingly fast when they want to be. Then I noticed the first
peregrine started chasing a second, smaller Peregrine. The first, presumably
female Peregrine flew south. The second, presumed male Peregrine circled
around and flew towards us, lighting out of sight in a tall conifer. Way fun.

Saw quite a number of Rough-legged Hawks (about 7 - all on the Samish flats
between Church Rd to the east and the West 90. It seems like Roughie numbers
might be picking up a bit. I noticed the Sullivans saw two at Grays Harbor.

good birding,

Jim Flynn--
buteoreg at attbi.com
Seattle, WA