Yesterday (7.30.17) I birded Fir Island in Skagit County. My first stop was the Game Range (aka Wylie Slough). A pair of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES was very vocal near the photo blind closest to the parking lot. Shorebirds included LEAST (a few), WESTERN (40 +) and SEMIPALMATED (1 juv) SANDPIPERS. There were probably at least 10 adult GREATER YELLOWLEGS and one juvenile LESSER YELLOWLEGS. A PEREGRINE FALCON made a brief visit.


Among the 70+ LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS were 2 juvenile SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHERS https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/36161659741/in/datetaken/lightbox/.


A MERLIN perched close by. https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/35488108363/in/datetaken/
Later, while sitting in the cool blind out of the sun, the Merlin put on a show with repeated visits in search of dragonflies, at one point nearly flying into the blind.


While taking a video of a perched GREEN HERON (1 OF 2 SEEN), the bird began to stalk prey. Instead of the less than 30 second videos I like to take, this one is 10.5 minutes, from stalking, to catching, to swallowing. I trimmed it. The stalking and catching may be seen at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/36130064512/in/datetaken/lightbox/.


The last minute of the multi-minute preparation for consumption may be seen at https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/35898161570/in/datetaken/.


While I was taking video of the Green Heron a MINK scurried across the mud, exciting the shorebirds.


In addition to (or instead of...) the above videos, images may be viewed at:
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/new_images.


I also visited the Hayton Preserve. Peeps were throughout the vegetation, probably in the hundreds. There was also a handful of BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS.



Marv Breece
Tukwila, WA
marvbreece at q.com