Hi Tweeters,

Started in Kent with Western Scub Jay at the Kent Ponds powerline trail extension east of the main Kent Pond area. Got nice but fairly brief looks at the Red-shouldered Hawk inside the Kent Ponds area near the osprey tower.

Heading north I had spectacular views of Mt Baker past Everett. Stopped at the Blue Jay place on Valentine road and had better luck today getting nice but all too short looks at the Blue Jay. Along with the scrubbie and American Crow, Common Raven, and Steller's Jay, a 5 corvid day. I was sad to find out Gray Jays don't hang out on Mt Erie, I even had a treat for them. 6 or more corvid species would be a tough one. I loved the banner at the Valentine Ranch that reads "Elvis says Feed the Birds, Baby!" I didn't hear the multi-lingual Starling this time.

Spent a little more than an hour on Mt Erie hoping for the White-winged Crossbills to just fly in as described. Didn't happen. But the fog lifted while I was there and got quite an Eagle show after the clearing of the fog. It was nice to run into birders I know up there and get to meet a birder I hadn't met yet.

I think I saw the Tufted Duck at Lake Erie but boy what a tough call on that one (for me anyway). This is the Wa state Lake Erie, not the one in the news today. In the wildlife area was a tail-less Brown Creeper and a Dark-eyed Junco with white markings on the wings.

I saw 3 falcon species today. Peregrine on the Ship Canal bridge on I-5 and only one on Fir Island. Merlin at Hayden Preserve. A male/female pair of Kestrel on Chilberg Rd., just before the big bends in the road on the LaConnor side.

It was really great day to be out birding.

Kathy
Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian
(chukarbird at yahoo dot com)
Any driving directions contained within this message are given as a courtesy, beware, author is directionally challenged and will not vouch for them.