Hey Tweets,
Very early this morning Carol Breedlove, Valerie Elliot, and I were there when the Red Flanked Bluetail was found. Heavy fog did make it a challenge to enjoy this joyful and very busy bird; but we stayed until nearly lunchtime. Then we meandered over to find the Brambling which stayed neatly tucked away in the brambles, so to speak. After two hours we headed out to see the flocks of Short Eared Owls, a variety of Raptors, including a Gyrfalcon, past Edison. A Northern Shrike appeared just before we left the parking area of the West 90? (iI think that is what they were calling it). It is hard to type with this cast on; and I am beat from driving.

Just as we headed back to I-5 we were able to enjoy a wonderful flock of Snow Geese, some Tundra and Trumpeters mixed in. They settled in a field with fogged in clouds and Mt Baker in the background. Several times they were spooked up, with the final flight leading to them splitting up. The flock we left was under 1,000; which means that over half of the original flock left for a better location. I am no counter, and was ready for a nice pain pill, but this is just my guess.

Vicki Biltz
Bonney Lake, WA 98391

Headed to Socorro tomorrow morning, hoping for a good day or two at Bosque!