Dear Tweeters,

First off, thanks to all who participated on Saturday's North American Migration Count in Skagit County.

Although I have heard from only a few of the parties, it sounds as if we had a fine day. Once the leaders send their sheets to Bob, we'll have a better handle on this (hint, hint, see address to send documents on the attachments sent earlier).

Highlights include the following:

Two American Bitterns AMBI standing exposed in a tiny wetland near Lyman;

A late Trumpeter Swan south of Mt Vernon;

Sooty SOGR and Ruffed Grouse RUGR in the Van Horn-Rockport area;

A Wilson's Phalarope WIPH or two near the east end of Josh Wilson Road;

Whimbrel WHIM here and there, including a rare sighting in the Sauk Prairie (a single bird in a ploughed field), three on Minkler Flats (a worrisome low number), and a half-dozen or more at the West Ninety;

Eurasian Collared Dove EUCD (first ever on the count) on the Samish Flats;

A Barred Owl getting strafed by a Steller's Jay near Sauk Mountain;

A Western Kingbird WEKI at the Concrete skateboard park;

Early-arriving Western Wood-Pewees WEWP here and there;

Large numbers of PSFL Pacific-slope Flycatchers in places;

Nashville Warblers NAWA turning up in good numbers, including a flock of eight at Howard Miller Steelhead Park;

Large numbers of YRWA Yellow-rumped Warblers in places;

Single Townsend's Solitaires at Concrete and Jackman Creek;

Chipping Sparrows CHSP in at least three places, including Sterling, Concrete, and Howard Miller;

Bullock's Orioles BUOR here and there, including one attacking a late Western Meadowlark WEME at Van Horn Pond.

Sauk Mountain has a pile of windfallen trees blocking the road fairly low down; birders contemplating a trip up there should bring chainsaws, chaps, and chewing tobacco.

Good birding,

Gary Bletsch



Yours truly,Gary Bletschnear Lyman (Skagit County), Washingtongarybletsch at yahoo.com


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