Greetings All

A very nice day (bird-wise) of birding in Skagit County with Dennis Duffy.

The big highlight was an adult Bewick's Swan on McLean Rd between Beaver
Marsh and Rd and Bradshaw. This is a different bird from last year, with much more
yellow. The yellow spans the top of the bill as well as extending well onto
the sides. Interestingly, like other Bewick's I've seen in North America with
Whistlings, its neck was shorter and thicker in appearance. The Whistling Swan
flock was about 750 birds.

There's also an imm bird that I noticed in my photos, hanging near the adult.
I've sent the photos out for Eurasian opinions. There is a small bit of
yellow-gray in the lores, extending out onto the bill as gray, then most of the
rest of the bill is orange. It is a relatively lanky bird... Anyway, the ID of
adults can be tough enough; I'll see what experts have to say. It certainly
looked odd, and the bill was mud-free.

Also, the Pac GoldenPlover was hanging around both e. and w. 90 today.

And on Cook Rd east of SedroWoolley, in a flock of swans, there were 9
Taverner's Cackling Geese.

Finally, Samish Bay was filled with waterfowl. Most were way too far away to
ID. I talked to a local waterfowl guy, and my estimate of 100,000 to 200,000
apparently was off. The number is more like 300,000; mostly Mallards
apparently. I will try to get a rough species breakdown from a local biologist this
week.

Close enough to ID, from the east end of Samish Island near the Blue Oyster
Company, were lots of WWScoters, Surf Scoters, Common Loons, Common Goldeneye,
and the like.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA