The highlight of yesterday's installment of my daily?Edmonds bird photo
safari?was?a female northern harrier at the marsh.???It was?only the second time
I have seen a northern harrier in Edmonds.? Coincidentally (?), the first time
was a year ago during a cold snap on?the

first week in December, 2009.? From Pt. Edwards I saw a northern harrier doing?
high circles over Edmonds as it passed over?the marina from north to south.?


Yesterday's sighting was much more interesting.? While on the marsh boardwalk, I
saw?a female northern harrier flying very low along the south tree line of the
marsh.??It looked as though?she had come from the direction of the fish
hatchery.???She flew west until? she got to the western edge of the marsh near
the railroad tracks, then she headed north, all the time staying very low as
harriers do.?? When?she got to the north edge of the marsh,?she reversed course
and?flew back south, then back east along the marsh's south tree line until
she?flew?behind the tree line and disappeared from?sight.

I did not see her fly back north and land in the marsh, but I knew?she had done
so as about a dozen crows began dive bombing a patch of reeds in the
marsh.??After a few minutes, she?flew up out of the marsh and the chase?was
on.??The harrier gained altitude with the crows in tow and the group?flew
circles over? the marsh before it heading north.

I had never seen crows fly as high as the ones chasing that harrier.?
Eventually? the crows broke off pursuit and the harrier?continued flying?north
out over the Sound.?? I hope?the rude welcome from?her crow-tourage?does not
dissuade her from returning.


Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA.