I joined Ann Marie Wood and Steve Pink this morning on a trip to Skagit County hoping first to find the Falcated Duck?reported yesterday and then to look for other area birds including especially the Rock Sandpiper at Rosario Head.? It was a great day in many ways.? With the help of others already there including Bob Kuntz, Gary Bletsch, Scott and Sierra Downes and others, we were able to find and photograph the Falcated Duck.? Not easy as it was in a very large constantly moving flock of 400+ ducks.? What a treat, especially as it was the 400th species in Washington that I have photographed.? Many others arrived after we left and it was terrific to see so many young birders there.
At Rosario head we again met some of the birders that had been at the Falcated Duck location and also three birders from Chelan: Debbie, Steve and Ryan Sutherland - great to finally meet them.? The Rock Sandpiper was found at the base of a steep cliff keeping company with Surfbirds and Black Turnstones.? It was particularly fun to see the Rock Sandpiper after Steve and I had seen the Purple Sandpiper in Victoria last week.? We continued on to other spots on Whidbey Island and then Skagit and Snohomish COunties on the way home.? Nothing to compare to the Falcated Duck (a lifer for me), but some fun other birds as well.
I have uploaded some photos at:
Falcated Duck, Rock Sandpiper Plus


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Falcated Duck, Rock Sandpiper Plus
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