Let's assume the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher seen in Rockport last week is the
same bird that was discovered near George about 17 days ago. That's 125
miles or about 7.4 miles per day. Extending a great circle from Rockport
would put the bird somewhere in the Fraser Valley between Langley and
Abbotsford near Matsqui, and on the Vancouver hotline on June 7 or 8.

Keep your eyes open, Canadians!

Extending a great circle southward suggests the bird came from far west part
of Texas.

Scott
-----Original Message-----
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Gary Bletsch
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 7:11 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher in Rockport (Skagit County)


Saturday. May 31, 2003
Dear Tweeters,

Steve and Gail Aslanian found a Scissor-tailed Flycatcher today on Martin
Road in Rockport (Skagit County). After a Skagit Audubon field trip had
disbanded, and all the half-day birders had gone home to their lawn mowers,
Steve and Gail went up there and stumbled onto what I think is the first
county record. Marv Breece was there by chance, and got to see it. I got to
see it too, as did Howard Armstrong and a couple of raptor dudes.

Take SR 20 to Rockport. Cross the Skagit River on the bridge at Rockport,
then take the first left. When you come to a ninety-degree bend in the road,
you are at a fish and game access. It is best to park there. Then continue
past the ninety-degree bend (going due south now) and look for a house on
the right (west side), number 11633. The bird was flying among various
perches on telephone wires, barbed wirek, and sometimes a small tree next to
a little barn with a horse trailer.

Please do NOT park at the little barn: the landowner asked Steve to stay
out of that private property pullout by the barn. It would not be a good
idea to obstruct traffic on this narrow road, so it makes sense to park at
the large parking lot at the ninety-degree bend, and walk a few hundred
feet.

There were also Lazuli Buntings singing at either end of the same
north-south straightaway; this spot is very close to last summer's YB Chat
location.

Good birding!



Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch

near Lyman (Skagit County), Washington

garybletsch at yahoo.com



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