Subject: [Tweeters] some Skagit birds
Date: Oct 12 20:56:06 2014
From: Gary Bletsch - garybletsch at yahoo.com


Dear Tweeters,

Today, 12 October 2014, was a good day to bird in Skagit County, despite a few showers in the afternoon.

At Judy Reservoir were several birds I had not seen there before. A drake Eurasian Wigeon was paddling around with a hen Gadwall. Danged Internet dating sites! Also on the lake were three Horned Grebes, a species which I had seen there only once before, plus an odd-looking loon that I could never ID. I kept thinking, "Black-throated Diver!"

When I turned my attention to the birds of the woodsy edges of Judy Reservoir, my pygmy-owl whistles brought in a real Northern Pygmy Owl. This was one of only a few of these owls I'd yet seen this far west. Two very yellow Hutton's Vireos joined a flock of other passerines that seemed to be as upset with me as they were with the owl.

At March Point were several interesting birds, including a Pacific Loon fishing with a flock of Common Loons, plus an Eared Grebe. Two species I had not seen here before were a White-fronted Goose and a Heermann's Gull. The goose was with some Canadas. The gull flew in from the north and checked out Padilla Bay.

Rosario Head was pretty good, with the four common alcids, lots of Heermann's Gulls, and at least one California Quail.

At Lake Erie were my first Buffleheads of the season.

I scraped my way to about 89 species, with no House Finches!

Yours truly,

Gary Bletsch