Saturday ( 19 Aug 2006) I led a Seattle Audubon Society field trip to a few locations in Snohomish and Skagit counties.

Our first stop was Channel Drive, north of La Conner, in Skagit county. Shorebirds at this location included GREATER YELLOWLEGS, LESSER YELLOWLEGS, LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPER, SPOTTED SANDPIPER, a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE and a single LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER. There was excellent raptor activity at this location including NORTHERN HARRIER, SHARP-SHINNED and COOPER'S HAWK and a PEREGRINE FALCON.

On the way to Skagit Wildlife Headquarters we stopped at the grocery at Rexville, just north of the bridge to Fir Island. Here we enjoyed 4 EVENING GROSBEAKS. They called repeatedly, then took flight.

At Skagit Wildlife, birds included several WILLOW FLYCATCHERS and a very pretty WARBLING VIREO. A few SWAINSON'S THRUSHES whitted and a female WOOD DUCK flew along the slough.

South of Stanwood, there was a single AMERICAN KESTREL along Boe Road.

62 species for the day.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net