Hi Tweeters -
Today I was one of several birders out recreating some of all of
Charlie Wright's loop from Thursday [see his 10/29 msg about his trip
w/ Fred Boesche for context]. Another day without rain snuck up on
me and left me enjoying the sun along with the birds throughout the
day.
Some notables:
Norman Rd, West of Silvana, Snohomish Co: [Delorme 95 C-6, WA ABA 183-5]

FRANKLINS GULL - 2 bathing from ~7:30 - 8:00. The nearest mailbox to
the bathing spot was 4101, and a bit further west down Norman Rd. is
a good pull-off spot. At that area of the river, several hundred
gulls were bathing, mostly Ring-billed, with some Mew and a few
Glaucous-winged [and GW-esque]. Also nearby were 20+ Trumpeter Swans.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER - one at Norman Rd X Miller Rd, with a bunch
of other passerines.

Snow Goose - large flock north of Boe Rd.

Fir Island Rd., w. of Conway, Skagit Co [Delorme 95 B-5, WA ABA 116]

CATTLE EGRET - 1 close to the road, on the n. side, all day. I saw it
late in the morning, then at ~3:00, and heard from others that it was
there at other points. The frustrating part was that this location is
directly across from the large Snow Goose flock, and where the road
is marked 'no stopping' - I'd recommend cruising, scanning & then
parking up ahead and walking back if its still there. Closest farm
had a sign out front that said 'Cowtown', I believe [I just glanced
at it in my rear view mirror, but I think that's right].

Skagit Game Refuge, Skagit Co. [Delorme 95 B-5/6, WA ABA 114-5] Late
morning to ~2:30
BARN SWALLOW - 3 or more along the first part of the trail from the
[non-HQ] parking area.

WHITE-THROATED SPARROW - 1 tan-striped in the fields across the 3rd
bridge across the slough. Also present at the same point were a few
Lincolns Sparrows among the mostly Golden-crowned flock.

NORTHERN SHRIKE - 3, at least. I saw 2 juvs together & 1 adult
elsewhere, and I believe others reported at least 2 more in other
places.

Coopers Hawk, N. Harrier & RT Hawk, all out further along the dike.

Along the trail were also many Cedar Waxwings, Purple Finch, a few
Varied Thrush, Pine Siskin and others.

And a few sadly too visible RN Pheasants walking down the trail,
somehow still not bagged by the many hunters.

Alice Bay, Skagit Co [Delorme 109 D-5, WA ABA p. 118-20], late afternoon.
Distant flock of Dunlin & BB Plovers, and many Northern Pintail on the water.

Samish Island Park [Delorme 109 D-4, WA ABA p, 118-20], pretty close to dusk
Gary Bletsch helped put me on a distant Pacific Loon in the bay.
Also present, Surf & WW Scoters, RB Mergansers , 3 Common Murre, &
several Horned Grebe.

A brief stop earlier at West 90 failed to turn up the Gyr, though a
couple Short-eared Owls were on duty, along w/ Northern Harriers.
Also, I didn't run into anyone who had re-located the Sharp-tailed SP
today.

Thanks Charlie & Fred,

Matt Bartels,
Seattle, WA



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