Tweeters,

On May 8, I was privileged to accompany Bob Kuntz and Ron Holmes on
the North American Migration Count in Skagit County-- I believe it was
Area 7 (out of 17 or so). This area extends from State Route 20 in
Burlington and Sedro Woolley north to the Whatcom County line, and
from Interstate 5 east to and beyond State Route 9. This was my first
time on this count, which Bob and Ron have done together for several
years.

We tallied a total of 82 species, which according to Bob, is above
average for the area.

The highlights-- for me at least-- included the following:

WILSON'S PHALAROPE-- One female seen briefly with GREATER YELLOWLEGS
at a pond in the Butler Flats area. Although it's not unprecedented on
the Skagit NAMC, this was my first for western Washington, other than
the ones that breed at the Ridgefield NWR

BANK SWALLOW-- Two seen perched on telephone wires along Green Road
near Kelleher.

BULLOCK'S ORIOLE-- One male seen along Butler Creek Road near Alger.

WHIMBREL-- We saw a total of at least 25 in 4 or 5 different spots,
beginning with a flock of 13 that flew over us in Burlington and
landed in nearby fields. This is a regular species in Bob's area,
often in larger numbers than this, but it was still a treat for me.

SORA-- At least 4 heard calling at a large wetland in an industrial
park on the northern edge of Burlington.

AMERICAN DIPPER-- An adult was seen feeding two recently-fledged
young near the Samish Hatchery on Friday Creek.

Another highlight was a significant fallout of migrant songbirds on
top of Burlington Hill, just east of Burlington, which can be reached
by roads leading through new residential developments to a
communications tower. Birds here included at least 10 WESTERN
TANAGERS, plus smaller numbers of TOWNSEND'S, BLACK-THROATED GRAY,
WILSON'S, and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS, WARBLING VIREOS, BLACK-HEADED
GROSBEAKS, a singing OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER, and a singing HOUSE WREN
(rare in the county). This forested hill, surrounded by farmland,
apparently has produced similar fallouts in some other years.

Thanks very much for including me on your count, Bob and Ron, and
giving me a glimpse into some of the lesser-known birding areas in
Skagit County.

Good luck and good birding,

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