Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit gull Ques, etc
Date: Jan 30 20:24:36 2010
From: Gary Bletsch - garybletsch at yahoo.com


Dear Tweeters,

Today I took Pelle Sorenson of Denmark around Skagit County, for a day of exotic birding. I think Pelle got to see about 20 or 30 lifers, of the 75 or 80 species we saw, so it was a successful day.

Bob Kuntz was leading a WOS trip today, and alerted us to a Glaucous Gull on the Samish Flats. Pelle and I actually needed three visits to the flock before we found the bird. That's because this immature gull was so dark of plumage that I had passed it off as a dark Glaucous-winged or GWGU X WEGU hybrid. The gull was much, much darker than any Glaucous Gull I have ever seen. The bill, however, was obviously bicolored. This gull looked big, perhaps bigger than the Glaucous-winged Gulls with it. This is despite the fact that many of the Glaucous Gulls that turn up around here aren't all that big.

The flock was loafing just east of West Edison, and was easily viewed from the pink guard rail of Harris's Sparrow fame. I think the birds were there all afternoon. It would be great if some gull experts could go out there and check it out; someone with a camera would be wise to photograph this interesting gull.

Also thanks to Bob, we got to see a Thayer's Gull at Samish Island Public Beach, where there was a Pacific Loon as well (they've been there consistently for about a month now).

Also also thanks to Bob, we got to see the Prairie Falcon perched near the massive Dunlin flock along Bay View-Edison Road. I can't remember how many times I have been out there this winter with no luck on that Prairie. Gracias, Roberto!

At the metal barn just north of the West Ninety were two Savannah Sparrows, with a mixed sparrow flock.

At the Fir Island Game Range were lots of passerines, including Audubon's Warblers, Bushtits, and Golden-crowned Kinglets.

We found a drake Canvasback on Mud Lake in the town of Clear Lake. A Gadwall was there, too--a bit of a surprise.

Single Northern Shrikes turned up on Mann Road, Farm-to-Market Road, and West Edison.

It was a jolly day to be out birding.

Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch ?
Near Lyman, Washington (Skagit County), USA ? garybletsch at yahoo.com ? ?

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