Hi Ho Tweets

This morning at about 8:40 I found the WHOOPER SWAN in the field west of SR 9 about 1/2 mile south of Marsh Road south of the town of Snohomish (DeLorme p. 79 A8). It was in a group of approximately 150-200 TRUMPETER SWANS. The bird was rather distant this morning, at least 200 yards away, but light was bright and decent scope views were possible. The bird cooperated by frequently turning it's head so that the bright yellow on the bill (with the black tip) could be seen, including the narrower point toward the tip of the bill along the lower edge of the upper mandible.

Several other birders were scanning from Marsh Road (I had checked there earlier), and I went around to let them know that the Whooper was visible from SR9.

Mixed in with the swans were CANADA GEESE, AMERICAN WIGEON and MALLARDS. No GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE were visible, nor was the EMPEROR GOOSE.

As many others have said, if you are going to park along SR9, please be sure to pull as far to the right off the highway. This is a very busy road.

It was a good moning, and Good Birding!

Brian H. Bell
Birding & Natural History Guide
Woodinville WA
bellasoc at isomedia dot com