Hello again,

Today was a great day for the raptors! The highlight was a 2nd year male GYRFALCON at the West 90. He sat there for several hours, and we got to see him hunting and catching a rodent of some king (they do fly very low to the ground). Other highlights were Barred Owl, a pair of fighting Bald Eagles, and a Hutton's Vireo mixed in with a flock of G-C Kinglets. Here is the complete list: (* is a lifer)

Fir Island

Trumpeter Swan
Tundra Swan
Red-tailed Hawk
Bald Eagle
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Steller's Jay
Snow Geese (4,000~5,000)
?Mystery Falcon? (Peregrine/Prairie)

Samish Flats and Samish area

GYRFALCON
Hutton's Vireo
Common Goldeneye
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Barred Owl
Rough-legged Hawk
G-C Kinglet
R-C Kinglet
Am. Wigeon
Pintail
Mallard
Lesser Scaup

A great day overall!

Help with the mystery falcon:
-It flew relatively low (~20 feet)
-Fast, stiff wingbeats
-It seemed to have a sandy color, but the backlighting made it very tough.
Unfortunately, this is all I saw (it was just a flyby), and if anyone can help me, that would be great!

Good Birding,
Alex