This morning, Aug 15, Berl Nussbaum and I made a quick survey of some traditional hotspots in Snohomish and Skagit counties. Hopeful the drenching rains the day before would reveal some nice birds, we weren?t disappointed. Although there were a few rain spells on the drive north, by the time we were on site, only the clouds remained, keeping temperatures very mild all day.

Leque Island - Eide Rd
Shorebirds but no rarities: >1000 Western and a couple dozen Least Sandpiper, >40 Greater and a few Lesser Yellowlegs; raptors included a juvenile Bald Eagle, a female Northern Harrier, a couple Peregrine Falcon, one keeping the peeps flock in motion, an American Kestrel chasing the other Peregrine, and a Barn Owl cruising the edges.

After stopping for gas in Stanwood, a long-tailed bird flew in to the trees across the street: a Western Scrub-Jay! We chased it a couple of blocks trying for a better look, but it escaped our view.

Skagit WMA - Wiley Slough
Several largish flocks of a mixture of all 3 Teals, more Virginia Rails than we could count, but hardly any shorebirds: 1 Spotted and 1 Least Sandpiper, plus 2 Greater Yellowlegs. Of raptors, there were a couple Bald Eagle and Osprey plus a single Merlin. A few Willow Flycatchers were foraging both outside and inside the brambles. A Hermit Thrush made a cameo appearance, but 2 Black-headed Grosbeak were more accommodating. Several Purple Finch were singing multiple songs, simultaneously, making ID a challenge. Yellow birds included a female Western Tanager, many Yellow Warbler, almost all singing their full song, dozens of Common Yellowthroat and an Orange-crowned Warbler.

Everett Sewage Lagoons
Water birds from the viewing access at the south end included only the regulars. But, we then walked the gravel trail outside the east fence for better views. Along the way was a large wet mudflat with plenty more dabblers plus a pair of Lesser Yellowlegs and a pair of Short-billed Dowitcher. We stopped to scope the distant birds at a point about half-way along the trail with a few surprises. Well, the several dozen Ruddy Ducks weren?t surprises, but we also saw 3 Lesser Scaup, 2 Hooded Merganser, 3 Northern Pintail, 1 American Coot, a Horned Grebe in basic plumage, and?the surprise of the day?a breeding plumage Eared Grebe.

For an august August day, 68 species.
Scott Ramos
Seattle