Today Mark Ahlness, Janeanne Houston and I birded in Snohomish County. We did not find the previously reported Sandhill Crane along Lowell-Larimer Rd near Hwy 9, south of Snohomish. In the area were TUNDRA and TRUMPETER SWANS as well as a flock of SNOW GEESE. But no crane.

We traveled on through Monroe to the Crescent Lake (2 Rivers) Wildlife Area. There we had nice looks at a Taiga Merlin. Also one of the 3 AMERICAN KESTRELS we saw for the day.

At the north end of Tualco Loop Road near where it meets Tualco Road, we enjoyed close looks at a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Also along the loop was an adult dark morph HARLAN'S RED-TAILED HAWK.

It was a good day.


Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net