Greetings All

Seems as if a lot of folks tried a Big Day of sorts (usually within a county) on 20 May. Unfortunate that the weather was not more cooperative. State wide big days usually work better if done earlier because of departing waterfowl, etc.

In any case, I had my first chance to do my Everett to Whidbey to Stanwood to Everett circuit on Saturday. I've topped 140 on this route before in early May. Usually lower totals in mid to late May. The amazing thing is that all the birding is basically done at sea level.

On Saturday I hit 124 species with very few rarities. I had over 100 when leaving Whidbey around 1pm. The diversity of birds to be found on that island is stunning.

Highlights included a Western Bluebird on the prairie near Coupeville, previously reported by Steve Ellis. Also a Trumpeter Swan near Stanwood, a Thayer's Gull at Tulalip Bay, and a Parasitic Jaeger in Port Gardner Bay. In the wetland just e. of the Mark Clark Bridge near Stanwood, there was a pair of Wilson's Phalaropes.

Another highlight, which didn't count towards the trip total, were three Short-finned Pilot Whales seen looking towards Hat Island from Tulalip Bay.

There were still a lot of water birds around. Over 100 Pac Loons and a dozen RTLoons off Whidbey, a couple GB and one Black Brant on Padilla Bay, a flock of RB Mergs in Useless Bay. Hundreds of pintail, shovelers, GW Teal, and Gadwall about. No Long-tailed Ducks or Black Scoters though.

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow