Subject: Afield in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snoho Cos
Date: Feb 8 15:52:48 2004
From: SGMlod at aol.com - SGMlod at aol.com
Greetings All
Yesterday, Ryan Shaw, Cameron Cox, Jessie Barry, and I wandered around e. of
Mt Vernon.
Our biggest thrill came from an ad. White-crowned X Golden-crowned Sparrow
(see Rising's photo guide for depiction). This bird was where Francis Road
(heading e. from Mt Vernon) drops down into the lowlands and turns sharply east.
Number two on the thrill-meter was a SC Fox Sparrow in the parking lot at the
Swan Preserve (which is off Francis, between Mt Vernon and Clear L.). On the
Lummi Flats we had 2 YH Blackbirds, our only "real bird" rarity of the day.
Today, at the Everett Public Boat Launch, there was a fine Clark's Grebe and
a male duck that looks quite good for a Mallard X Gadwall. There is also a
Mallard X Black Duck (remnant genes from introduced Black Duck population). The
number of hybrid ducks in Everett over the last 5 or so years (White-cheeked
Pintail x ?Gadwall, Mallard x Wood Duck, Tufted Duck x ?, several Mallard x
Northern Pintail) makes me wonder if some of these are local escapes. Obviously,
the first on that list was.
Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
SGMlod at aol.com
Everett WA
"A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries." Will
Rogers.