Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit Surfbirds and swallows
Date: Sun Feb 23 19:00:05 PST 2020
From: Gary Bletsch - garybletsch at yahoo.com

Dear Tweeters,
Today (the 23rd February 2020), there was a cooperative flock of 8 Black Turnstones and 7 Surfbirds at Rosario Head (Skagit County side of Deception Pass State Park). The weather was unpleasant (cold temperatures, rain, light to gentle breeze). Maybe the lack of beach-walkers was what convinced the 14 birds in this little flock to fly over to the closest rocks to the shoreline, just a stone's throw north of the Indian maiden statue. I looked and looked for about forty minutes, but could not find any other shorebirds with them. Just as I was leaving, some people decided it would be a good idea to start throwing a stick toward the rocks where the flock was, so that their dog could retrieve it; the flock flew out to the back side of the more distant rocks, out of sight.
At Campbell Lake boat launch, I was surprised to see a flock of 8 Violet-green Swallows foraging over the chilly waters of the lake. Boots were necessary; one had to wade out onto the flooded boat-launch to get a view over the lake.
At Big Indian Slough, two swallows foraged over the fields just north of the pumping station. They were very drab, and lacked streamers. It took me a while before I could ID them, even in the scope, but was finally able to see the white spots in the tail feathers and the dark throats.
I cannot remember a year where I'd seen Barn and Violet-Green Swallows before Tree Swallows, but I'm sure the Tree Swallows will turn up for me one of these days!
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch
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