Greetings All

Today Cameron Cox, Jessie Barry, and I did the Whidbey to Fir I. to Stanwood
route, and despite much rain in the a.m., necessitating some breaks in the
birding, we totalled 112 species.

Highlights were a Palm Warbler at the Skagit WMA parking area (by boat
launch), two singing WT Sparrows along the dike road (from boat launch parking lot),
about 8 SB Dowitchers in field near entrance to WMA along with 2 Lesser
Yellowlegs and scads of Greater Yellowlegs and Dunlin. Also had a Whimbrel at the
Hastie L Boat Launch.

At the end of Thomle Road s of Stanwood, there was a Marbled Godwit in a
flock of ducks/BB Plover. In the Snow Goose flock that remains in the area, there
was a WF Goose and a Taverner's Goose.

At March's Point, the Gray-bellied Brant and Black Brant are spending a lot
of time on the mud spit. It's quite a distance away, but the views aren't bad
through a scope and it gives you a chance to compare the two. The palest
Gray-bellieds look a lot like Atlantic (Pale-bellied) Brant.

Pretty good day, especially given the weather.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
SGMlod at aol.com