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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