Today I decided to head up to the Skagit & Samish Flats to see if I
could come up with a Swamp Sparrow or Northern Waterthrush and failed,
but as a consulation prize ended up with a GYRFALCON. I had been
birding most of the day but decided to make one last stop at the West
90 (for a second time) at about 3:40 and began scanning the field to
the north of the parking area. Almost immediately a GYRFALCON flew in
from the NW and landed in the trees at the Northeast corner of the
parking area. It stayed only for about 15 seconds and then flew off
over the fields to the NE. From the looks I got this bird appeared to
have more brownish tones - 1st year (juvenile).

A few other birds that I observed today included:

SANDHILL CRANE - 2 flew over the West 90
EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE - some at Edison & one at Samish Island Park
AMERICAN KESTRAL - near the Jenson Access on Maupin Road
MERLIN - just outside of Edison
LONG-TAILED DUCK - Samish Island Park
SHORT-EARED OWL - Many flying about at the West 90


Hey Marv, "It was a Good Day"


Cheers and Good Birding;

Michael Fleming
Ballard, Washington
michaelfleming01 AT gmail.com