Subject: [Tweeters] Surfbirds, Turkey Vultures on Lummi Island, Oct 1
Date: Oct 3 07:42:07 2005
From: Wayne C. Weber - contopus at telus.net


Tweeters and Whatcom Birders,

An afternoon of birding on Lummi Island on October 1 produced a few
interesting birds among a total of 49 species. On the rocks off
Point Migley were 5 SURFBIRDS along with 3 BLACK TURNSTONES.
Surprisingly, these were the first SURFBIRDS I had ever seen in
Whatcom County. I have never seen any at Point Roberts in 400+
visits there going back to 1968, even though turnstones spend all
winter there.

Also of note was a kettle of about 50 TURKEY VULTURES, seen
at least a mile to the south from Legoe Bay Road. The number was just
a rough guess; unfortunately, when I drove south to near where the vultures
were, they had already disappeared. From other reports, it sounds like
Saturday was a big migration day for vultures.

Other birds of interest included 6 VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS, about
as late as I ever see this species, and at least 4 VIRGINIA RAILS
heard calling in the marsh on Tuttle Lane just north of Legoe Bay Road.

Good luck and good birding,

Wayne C. Weber
Delta, BC
contopus at telus.net