Tweeters, Gary, Ryan:

In fact there is a 1955 published report of an October Pomarine seen
just south of Eliza I. and just within Skagit Co waters, although the
observer gave it as "hypothetical" in a list of birds seen over a period. His
details seemed favorable to this observer anyway, and, among others,
he included comparisons with Parasitic Jaeger, which were apparently
frequent that particular fall.

For Cassin's Auklet--other than Gary's bird, there have been at least two
others seen from WA Park; I had an additional off Rosario Beach following
a storm a number of Novembers back. Although 3 together seems unusual
anywhere in inner Puget Sound waters, this is the 4th report by my count.

Rusty Blackbird--unlike the first two, Skagit Co seems to be blessed with more
visits that most other wWA counties. Although I might get in trouble saying
it has become annual in the last 15 years, we now have quite a few entries
from Oct-Dec period, mostly from Fir I. (Wiley Rd, Jensen area), but birds have
been reported from other locations at sea level as well, although I am not sure
if any Skagit area CBC has managed to get one as yet. Just the same,
I'm thinking we must total 10-12 reports/entries by now. One bird at the
Whitney feedlot on Hwy 20 was reported into late winter.

WA Park (Green Pt) is a real good spot for people seeking offshore marine birds
in Skagit Co. We still need Red Phalarope from there, but both N. Fulmar and
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel have shown during late fall storms. Green Pt has had
Brown Pelican and Short-tailed Shearwater in late fall also.

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com
_________________________________________________________________
Windows Live Hotmail now works up to 70% faster.
http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_faster_112008