Tweets,

I squeezed in a couple hours birding before the rain hit again. Hoping to find a Tundra Swan for my King County year list I explored the Snoqualmie River valley north of Duvall.

About two miles north of the Woodinville-Duvall Rd. junction on West Snoqualmie Valley Road I spied six Trumpeter Swans in a farm field below the road (still in King County). Then about two miles north of the county line there were about 65 swans scattered about a field just southeast of the Twin Rivers WRA. Most were Trumpeters but ca. five were Tundras.

Back at Duvall I explored the West Snoqualmie River Rd. which runs through nice dairy farm country from the Woodinville-Duvall Rd. just west of the river bridge north to a dead-end at the county line. I found one Northern Harrier and a HARLAN'S HAWK along with several Red-tails and three ravens. The Harlan's was a typical dark adult, chased off by a normal Red-tail from a perch on the south edge of the big cottonwood plantation at the first 90 degree bend on W. Snoqualmie River Rd. north of the Woodinville-Duvall Rd. junction.

Apparently, the wintering swan population further down river near the town of Snohomish is spreading south.

Gene.

PS: Yesterday I joined MaryFrances Mathis and Ryan Merrill on an ill-advised King County big day. Not only was it the shortest day of the year, but it rained steadily most of the day and the traffic was nasty. We managed just 90 species. In any case, we did turn up a Greater White-fronted Goose and a Cackling Goose at the Montlake Fill, and the meadowlark and snipes were still in place there.