We were birding near Carnation Farms yesterday, also. In addition to Pete's
finds, we saw a female kestral, at least two dozen swans (all trumpeter, as
near as we could tell) and, the highlight, one male red head duck. These
were all found in the flooded fields on both sides of NE 80th Street at the
junction with West Snoqualmie Valley Road NE (we parked at the "Road Closed"
sign).

Henne Queisser
Redmond, WA

-----Original Message-----
From: Pete Fahey [mailto:peterfahey at comcast.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 4:18 PM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu; Diann MacRae
Subject: [Tweeters] Gray Jays, Snow Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, TV

Hi Birders:

Faced with a long walk up Tiger Mt., I choose the couch potato route, and
drove to Snoqualmie Pass in search of Gray Jay. Along with American Crow
and Common Raven, I completed my quest with a nice flock of GRAY JAYS in the
trees in front of Alpental Ski Lodge. Total species 3!

Then I went to Carnation Farms, where on a vastly expanded Sikes Lake, I
found an immature SNOW GOOSE, and 8 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE among the
hundreds of Canada and Cackling Geese. I also found all of the NORTHERN
PINTAILS that are missing from the "Fill." There are also hundreds of
Wigeon, including a drake EURASIAN, along with Gadwall, Mallards,
Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Ducks, Buffleheads and Common Goldeneye.
Many are getting a little randy, performing their respective shows; the
females seemed unimpressed.

On the way home, I saw a TURKEY VULTURE soaring above Sammamish at 228th Ave
SE and 16th St SE. It was generally headed west along 16th St.


Pete Fahey
Issaquah, WA