Hi Tweets,

Yesterday afternoon I was birding in the Stanwood area and ended up driving the Big Ditch access road to watch a huge gathering of Snow Geese. I noticed a shrike in the brambles on the south side of the road, where it slightly rises before reaching the parking lot. I assumed it was a Northern Shrike and put my scope on it to enjoy the view. I was quite surprised to see a thick black mask that completely covered the eye and realized it was a Loggerhead Shrike. It was skittish and flew to the parking lot where I followed it on foot. It worked its way north in the line of trees that are along the agricultural field. The bird would fly down to hunt insects and then return to the trees, each time perching a bit further north. Several Snohomish County birders were able to see the bird at rest in a parking lot tree before sundown. Ann Marie Wood and Blair Bernson have been looking for the shrike this morning but have not been able to relocate it. If they do find it, they will post. It may have been a one-day wonder. For those birding in the Stanwood or Fir Island areas today, it might be worth looking for. With a little luck it is out hunting and will return to the parking lot area later this afternoon. Photos in this checklist:

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S54374787 <https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S54374787>

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA


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