Dear Tweeters,

Today, 24 August 2014, there were lots of shorebirds and other birds?in Skagit County.

At Lyman were a few each of Baird's, Pectoral, and ?Least Sandpiper, as well as two Wilson's Snipe and a still-downy Spotted Sandpiper.

Just west of Lyman, at Nichols Bar, I found a Solitary Sandpiper. An assist goes to Mr. Coyote, who was sneaking around the river bar, and flushed the sandpiper toward me. There were lots of warblers, vireos, and even an Anna's Hummingbird in the woods here.

It was hard to find a spot to park at West Edison, with all the fishermen there, but it was worth visiting; there were peeps along the Samish River, along with three Semipalmated Plover and a Spotted Sandpiper.

At Channel Drive were at least 6 Semipalmated Sandpipers, along with about fifty each Western and Least, plus three Red-necked Phalaropes, both Yellowlegs, a Spotted Sandpiper, and a Long-billed Dowitcher. A House Wren was chattering at me here, too.

At North Fork Access were sixteen black-bellied Plover.

I didn't identify any shorebirds at Jensen Access, but I was surprised to see a Tree Swallow with the Barn and Cliff Swallows. I don't think it is likely I'll see another Tree Swallow before next March.

The Fir Island Game Range is really fun when the high tide comes in; lots of Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowitchers were floating around on logs near the boat-launch parking area. There was also at least one Long-billed Dowitcher.

Certain species were notable by popping up at several places: Osprey, Yellow Warbler, and Western Tanager were all on the move today.

Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch