Yesterday afternoon (Oct. 8) in the Maxwelton Valley of South Whidbey Island I looked up to see what I at first thought were ravens. There were way too many from my experience though, and the flight pattern wasn't right. With binoculars I soon determined I was seeing large numbers of turkey vultures moving south along the spine of the Island. In addition to many leading and straggling birds, there were about three dozen in one large "kettle" just above the horizon from where I stood, that soon moved out of sight to the south.

Also got good looks at a Black Throated Gray Warbler and several Yellow-Rumped and Orange Crowned warblers foraging in alders.


Tom Leschine