Tweeters:

I left a birdbox message today but for those who don't check that one:

I had 5 Empid species in the Rockport-to-Marblemount corridor of central
Skagit County today. The big surprise was a singing ALDER FLYCATCHER on
territory at the Marblemount Boat launch at 9-9:30, and again at 11:15 a.m.
To reach this site, go east on Hwy 20 into Marblemount; turn off Hwy 20 onto
Cascade River Rd (toward Cascade Pass) at the east edge of town (there is a
sharp 90-degree corner). This takes you east over the Skagit River, and
immediately as you come off the bridge take a right down into the boat
launch parking area. At the south edge of the parking area, there is a
trail that heads south along the river; the trail has been recently mowed.
About 500 yards down this trail I had the bird, and I left a pile of stones
in the middle of the trail for those who wish to try for the bird. On the
first encounter the bird was in a small group of willows to the left; it
stayed in the open at the top of the second-closest willow. Then when I
returned at 11:15, the bird had changed sides and was now on the south side
of the trail, in denser willow/cottonwood growth, closer to the river.

Other highlights of 63 species encountered 0800-12 this morn:

1. MARTIN RD ACCESS (i.e., from the north end parking site at the first
90-degree bend)
Lazuli Bunting 1

2. ROCKPORT QUARRY (visible from pulloff along Hwy 20, just east of
Rockport close to west end
of Schular Rd)

DUSKY FLYCATCHER 1
NASHVILLE WARBLER 1

3. CORKINDALE POWERLINE CROSSING (between Rockport & Marblemount)

Bank Swallow 8 plus 5 other swallow sp.
Lazuli Bunting 2

4. MARBLEMOUNT

Black Swift 2 (with Vaux's near Visitor Center in town)
ALDER FLYCATCHER 1 (see above, Marblemount boat launch)
E. KINGBIRD 1 (same site as previous)
Lazuli Bunting 2 (as previous)

5. COUNTY LINE PONDS (from both the agg pond and other access)
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1
Am. Redstart 3

6. DOWNTOWN ARLINGTON (Snohomish Co)

Lazuli Bunting 1 (heard only while awaiting stop at Rt 9 x 530!
Unusual location).

Common species--as in past years, SPOTTED SANDPIPERS are nesting at County
Line. WILLOW and HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHERS were quite common and there were
perhaps 5-6 of the latter heard at the Rockport Quarry, and more at County
Line and nearby. RED-EYED VIREOS were the most numerous vireos in the
area--I heard or saw about 20 at the stops indicated above and a few others
not listed. WARBLINGs were also common, and I had just a couple CASSIN'S.
Of the warblers, MACGILLIVRAY'S is quite common in the Marblemount area. No
sign of the YB Chat that had spent several Junes at the Martin Rd. 90-degree
bend site. Another good bird visitors should watch/listen for in the area
is Gray Catbird--I had one last year on July 6 at the Corkindale Powerline
crossing, another was heard only at Barnaby Slough (s.e. of Rockport, not
far from the Martin Rd site) in May.

Gary Bletsch--if you're out there, I tried to e-mail you twice recently to
no avail. I'll get 'ya somehow!

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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