Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit Co birding
Date: Nov 10 21:01:49 2008
From: Marv Breece - mbreece at earthlink.net


Today I enjoyed the day birding in Skagit County. Nothing rare, but some sightings were unexpected.

A CLIFF SWALLOW was flying around the West 90 on the Samish Flats early this morning. At the East 90 was a large flock of DUNLIN, including a few BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS. With this flock was a single dowitcher. It was a SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER. Patterned tertials and a very short bill.

There was a lot of activity at the intersection of Sullivan and Bayview/Edison Roads. An enormous flock of mixed blackbirds and starlings. Also a HARLAN'S HAWK. A few MOURNING DOVES perched in a tree with a EURASIAN-COLLARED DOVE. Finally, also at this location was a small group of KILLDEER with 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.

At Jensen Access on Fir Island there was an adult NORTHERN SHRIKE.

At Hayton Preserve, also on Fir Island, were 3 BLUE GEESE within a large flock of the white ones. At Skagit Wildlife a single CEDAR WAXWING, a hooting GREAT HORNED OWL and a SLATE-COLORED DARK-EYED JUNCO.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net