Hi Tweets:

East Lake Washington Audubon led field trips to the Skagit/Samish on Jan.
12th and 14th. Thursday it rained and Saturday was nearly perfect with sun
breaks and a cool breeze. 59 bird species were seen on Thursday and 82 on
Saturday, running the same 200-mile route. Numerous songbirds, including Red-breasted
Sapsucker, were active in the trees along Mann Rd. on the approach to the
Skagit WMA. A Northern Shrike perched conspicuously at the top of a tree at the
Skagit Wildlife Management Area. Greater Yellowlegs fed in a flooded field in
the same area. Snowy Owl was seen both days at Hayton Reserve and Jensen
Access. River Otter, Marbled Murrelet, Rhinocerous Auklet, Common Murre, Pigeon
Guillemot, grebes and loons were scoped from the Washington Park (Anacortes)
grassy overlook. Black Oystercatchers were sheltered from the wind at Rosario
Beach. Nearby Pass Lake sheltered the most waterfowl. Samish Island Park
overlook was a good area for scoping Brant and Long-tailed Duck. A Short-eared
Owl was seen briefly at the West 90 and two Rough-legged Hawks were eventually
located. A soggy Merlin braved the elements on Thursday; 3 peregrines were
seen on Thursday; 4 on Saturday along with 2 Sharp-shinned Hawks.

Joyce Meyer
Woodinville, WA
www.elwas.org