Yesterday (11/25/04) I stopped on the Samish Flats where the GYRFALCON put
on a show chasing a NORTHERN HARRIER that did not seem to be carrying a
morsel. This went on for several minutes. I had to search for the single
early morning SHORT-EARED OWL I saw at the West 90. I have never seen so
many NORTHERN HARRIERS at that location.

Drowned and misplaced rodents no doubt served up a smorgasbord for raptors,
since the fields were flooded. I watched as 3 different harriers tried
unsuccessfully to take a rodent that seemed to be hanging onto a few weeds
in the middle of a flooded field. One harrier tried to hover long enough
to take the rodent. Another tried to land on the weeds, but the weeds
would not hold its weight. After a few minues a GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL swam
up and devoured the hapless creature.

Today the GYRFALCON was perched on a cross bar a few poles north of the
west 90 on the Samish Flats for at least an hour. Five BARN SWALLOWS flew
overhead as I watched BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS, DUNLIN and AMERICAN PIPITS
along Bayview Edison Road.

On the return home I stopped at Big Ditch and was delighted to see a SNOWY
OWL among the driftwood.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA


--- Marv Breece
--- mbreece at earthlink.net