Subject: [Tweeters] Sandhill Crane Hayden, SKAGIT
Date: Oct 8 14:53:36 2011
From: Scott Atkinson - scottratkinson at hotmail.com



Tweeters:
Only had a couple hours this a.m. on Fir I., but the Sandhill Crane earlier reported by Ryan Merrill followed thefirst of many Snow Geese into the Hayden Preserve at dawn. Somehow this was a county bird for me, even though we've had well over 20 records/reports for the county over many years. Thanks Ryan for the stake-out of the Sandhill.
Otherwise I figured on about 750 Snow and 35-40 Cackling Geese at Hayden. Three Lesser Yellowlegs and a few othershorebirds were here, along with many of the usual sparrows, Am. Pipits and other typical fall migrants.
Seems we are having a late passage on our passerines. Between Hayden, Jensen and the North Fork access, I had sixCom. Yellowthroats--seemingly a high number for the date most years it seems the last-of-season birds are in thefirst decade of Oct. Hopefully we'll luck out and have a bird or two show up on the CBCs, although the latest NOAAdata doesn't bode well for a mild winter.
Scott AtkinsonLake Stevensmail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com