Subject: [Tweeters] Sno/Skagit birding
Date: Sun May 10 07:48:08 PDT 2020
From: Marv Breece - marvbreece at q.com

Yesterday there was a singing BULLOCK'S ORIOLE along Norman Rd in Snohomish County. It was next to the river, just off Pioneer Hwy. The first phrase of the song was typical, but the rest was much more melodious than the usual oriole song. From the gate at the end of Boe Rd, I watched an AMERICAN AVOCET in flight, heading for Leque Island. Later, I watched an/the avocet along Eide Rd as well as about 50 WESTERN SANDPIPERS, a LEAST SANDPIPER, and a SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. (3 peeps)

When I arrived at Hayton Reserve on Fir Island at low tide, the birds were as scarce as was the water. This exercise in futility was rewarded when I heard a SEMIPALMATED PLOVER and with a bit of work, laid eyes on 2 of them.

The East 90 (Samish Flats) white geese had departed by the time I got there, but with luck and patience, I spied a WILSON'S PHALAROPE. My thanks to Gary Bletsch, who had reported this species earlier. Close by at Estes Rd were 6 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS and a SORA. I wonder what else was there.


>From atop the dike at the larger parking lot at the Game Range (Wylie Slough) I watched one LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER as a TURKEY VULTURE flew overhead. I did not walk the trail there as it was quite congested. I have profound respect for this as yet poorly understood new coronavirus. The price will be paid for lax behavior.


After I left the Game Range I turned up Moberg Rd on an impulse. Lo and behold there were 6 WHIMBREL foraging in the field between Moberg and the Game Range entrance. What a treat that was!
[ https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/ | https://www.flickr.com/photos/138163614 at N02/ ]

The tides were lousy for Hayton yesterday, but I went again and this time was rewarded with a PEREGRINE FALCON sighting. That bird's presence may have suggested that also present was something on the raptor's menu I couldn't detect. But then, I don't have a falcon's eyes.

It was a good day.



Marv Breece
Tukwila, WA
marvbreece at q.com

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