Yesterday (10.23.07) I birded Snohomish and Skagit counties. The birding was not nearly as spectacular as the weather was, but no complaints. The first sparrow I saw at Skagit Wildlife (headquarters) on Fir Island was a WHITE-THROATED SPARROW. The tan-striper was calling loudly along the drive near the boat launch parking lot.

At the Hayton Reserve (Snow Goose Farm) I watched as a juvenile tundra Peregrine Falcon landed in a tree along the access road. The bird remained perched for well over an hour; long enough to take an assortment of photos. I uploaded a few to my website. The link is below.

http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/new_images_of_washington_birds

On the Samish Flats, I expected to see my first Rough-legged Hawk of the season, but alas, it was not to be. There were plenty of Red-tailed Hawks and Northern Harriers, but not much else in the way of raptors.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net