Yesterday (1.15.06) with friends I visited the Lummi Flats in Whatcom County. Snowy Owls were not to be found on the dike, or in the area. However, we did see 7 SNOW BUNTINGS. We had 4 encounters with these birds at various points on the dike. The way the buntings were flying from place to place, it was impossible to determine if we were seeing the same group of birds over and over. There could be more than 7 birds. If you go, keep in mind that the birds may be hidden in the weeds or over the side, not visible from within a car while driving.

Earlier in the day we stopped on the Samish Flats in Skagit County. We had an adult PEREGRINE FALCON chasing BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS and DUNLIN north of the West 90 and 2 immature peregrines seen from Bayview Edison Road up the hill south of the intersection with D'Arcy Road. One of the birds repeatedly dove on the second perched bird. There was a male Taiga Merlin perched in a treetop in Edison.

Gave a good effort to locate the Pacific Golden-Plover with no luck.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA