Hi all,

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been regularly birding the Snoqualmie Valley - basically the part between Duvall and Fall City - looking primarily for raptors as I drive. It is definitely worth a trip if you don't have the time to go up to the Skagit/Samish Flats (or just as a good change of pace). I have routinely been seeing six to eight Red Tailed Hawks (RTHA's) and this past weekend saw at least eight individual Bald Eagles, representing each sub-adult phase as well as full adult plumage. [The occasional American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon and - once in Carnation Marsh - (Black) Merlin also shows up if you spend enough time in the area. I have yet to see a Rough Legged Hawk.]

A number of the RTHA's are resident, as I often see the same birds in the same areas routinely. Sunday, however, I saw an interesting juvenile light morph RTHA on the Carnation Farm (now Nestle Training Center farm) and have posted some images on my website. Driving along Carnation Farm Road, I saw the bird sitting by Sykes Lake and my first reaction was that it was a Rough Legged Hawk because of the white breast and dark belly band, plus some white on the head and back. The bird was cooperative and for those interested there are four shots you can access from the link below, and then click next through the series once on the website. These shots show front, back, side and flight angles. Looking through Wheeler and Sibley, this particular bird seems to have more white on the head and back than the 'typical' light morph RTHA. It was a unique coloration in my limited experience, at least. Feedback from more experienced folks would be interesting.

http://www.tubbsphoto.com/-/tubbsphoto/detail.asp?photoID=3466415&cat=38975


John Tubbs
Snoqualmie, WA
johntubbs at comcast.net
www.tubbsphoto.com