Subject: Skagit County Yellow-billed Loon & Barred Owl
Date: Feb 12 10:13:14 2004
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Tweeters,

Yesterday's sunshine and warm temperatures were an irresistible
invitation to go birding, so I spent about 6 hours (noon to 6 PM)
birding in Skagit County-- the Samish Flats, Rosario Head in
Deception Pass State Park, and (very briefly) the Skagit Wildlife Area
headquarters.

I spent about 3 hours at the Samish Flats, and met David Chelimer and
a couple of other birders at the "West 90". I did not see the
GYRFALCON, nor had anyone else that I spoke to, but it is probably
still nearby. I did get a very close view of a dark-phase HARLAN'S
HAWK perched on a telephone pole near the East 90. Other raptors seen
included at least 20 BALD EAGLES, 12 NORTHERN HARRIERS, 8 RED-TAILED
HAWKS (including the Harlan's), one ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, and four
SHORT-EARED OWLS. A treeful of 9 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS between Edison
and the East 90 were starting to sing. A flock of 180 swans along
Field Road consisted of about 30 TUNDRA and 150 TRUMPETER SWANS.

At Rosario Head, the highlight was an immature YELLOW-BILLED LOON seen
at point-blank range-- almost certainly the same bird that I saw on
November 8, 2003 when I was there with Gary Bletsch and his WOS field
trip group. On that date, it was on the north side of Rosario Head;
yesterday, it was in Bowman Bay on the south side. It first popped up
barely 50 feet offshore, and gave me several good looks in between
long underwater dives (it was actively feeding). The bird gradually
moved farther away into Bowman Bay. However, about an hour later, it
moved father west again, and I last saw it in deep water right off the
southwest corner of Rosario Head. The bill of this bird shows very
little yellow, but it is huge and pale and has the characteristic
shape, and the back is heavily barred (whitish feather edges).

Also of interest at Rosario Head were 2 BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS and 10
BRANDT'S CORMORANTS with Double-cresteds on rocks in Bowman Bay.
Offshore were at least 10 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS (some coming into breeding
plumage), 4 COMMON MURRES, and a pair of MARBLED MURRELETS. This is
the spot where I found my life MARBLED MURRELETS in March of 1965. I
recalled another visit there in February of 1969, when I got to see
the prototype Boeing 747 on its second-ever test flight. Little did I
realize how ubiquitous these airliners would become (accidental then,
common permanent resident now). With or without murrelets or 747s,
Rosario Head and vicinity is one of my favorite birding spots and, in
my view, one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

I had enough time left for only a quickie visit to the Skagit Wildlife
Area headquarters near Conway, but I did manage to find one of my
target birds-- BARRED OWL. Arriving just at sunset (about 5:30 PM), I
walked about half a mile down the dyke south of the parking area. On
the way back, I gave periodic Barred Owl hoots, not really expecting a
response. However, about 300 yards south of the parking lot, the owl
flew in and landed in an alder less than 40 feet away from me! There
was still enough light to get a fairly good look at the bird though my
binocs. It flew a short distance and landed in another tree near the
dyke, giving some soft calls, but declining to cut loose in classic
Barred Owl style. It was still there when I left. A fine end to an
enjoyable afternoon of birding!

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net