Tweets,

Quite a successful birding afternoon in the Skagit today, at the conclusion of which we were treated to watching at least three SHORT-EARED OWLS on the hunt. This was at the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area, North Fork Access, at the end of Rawlins Road. First sighting required us to walk far out onto the dike for a positive identification (we are scopeless, at least for now). The owl kindly flew in closer to us -- twice -- taking up new perch and landing to face us, to give us an improved view (or perhaps to improve its view of us!). We eventually left this bird behind, but as we were walking back we spotted another owl in the air (quite far from the original). We were able to walk along a small canal to get closer to this bird's landing place, and then watched this owl plus another as they continued to hunt. It was about 4:15p and the sun was just beginning to set. The scenery was absolutely lovely, the temperature cold but the sun bright and warming, and the wind unusually calm there. It was quiet, no hunters around and only one other birding couple on the dike with us. The views of snow-covered Mt. Baker behind us as we returned to the car were spectacular.

In other highlights for the day:

-AMERICAN KESTREL hunting from a wire off Maupin Rd.
-At least nine BALD EAGLES (juveniles and adults) in one small area, two perched in full sunlight in a tree near a nest, several others feeding on the ground on what appeared to be snow goose carcasses. Overall *excellent* day for Bald Eagle sightings.
-PURPLE FINCH up close gorging himself on tiny crab apples on a crab apple tree. (If any of my photos turned out, I'll try to post a link to them.)
-Lots of NORTHERN HARRIERS and RED-TAILED HAWKS
-WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWs and GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROWs

Overall a wonderful birding outing!

Cheers,

~Christy Jobe and Larry Baxter
Camano Island/Kenmore
christyrj at hotmail.com