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<p>Hi,<br>
<br>
I did a -very- informal birding-while-driving trip to many of my favorite locations on<br>
Thursday - with one long stop and hike at Rosario. I left the house about 10:30 and<br>
got back about 4. Here are the results:<br>
<br>
1) Lots of Trumpeter Swans - everywhere, in both large (near I-5 and Cook Rd) and<br>
small groups (in the fields out on the Samish Flats). Especially in the Samish <br>
Flats and Butler Flats but also in the Skagit Flats and on Fir Island.<br>
2) Lots of Bald Eagles - mostly roosting in trees or on poles (digesting?) If there is a<br>
tree with a nest in it ... there usually is a pair (or one of a pair?) in the vicinity. I<br>
have not seen "sitting on eggs" behaviors ... yet.<br>
3) Lots of Red-tailed hawks ... again everywhere. I am not seeing many other<br>
hawks/falcons such as Rough-legged, Merlin, etc. - but others are reporting<br>
them so this is probably a result of my methods. There seem to be at least as<br>
many and perhaps more Kestrels.<br>
4) A "normal" amount of all the usual suspects of ducks - anywhere there is standing<br>
water and often in unflooded fields (especially Mallards).<br>
5) Very few "shore birds" - even at Channel Drive.<br>
6) A few but not lots of passerines. But pretty much anywhere there is a bush.<br>
7) The SEOWs continue to delight at the East 90. As well as Harriers (there and<br>
many other locations).<br>
8) Of note, at least to me, was zero Snow Geese.<br>
9) Rosario was pretty normal for this time of year - which means it is a consistent<br>
good spot for birding year round. I did see a couple of Robins and several<br>
mergansers. I spent almost 2 hours at Rosario. Cormorants, gulls, Harlequins,<br>
Sparrows, Juncos, scoters, etc. Did not see an otter this time. Did hear a Bald<br>
Eagle calling several times but never found it.<br>
10) A 'nice find' was no less than 3 Belted Kingfishers ... at 3 different locations.<br>
(Samish Island Rd., Rosario, and Channel Drive)<br>
<br>
- that's it for now ... see you again in March - Jim in Skagit<br>
<br>
P.S. Sorry, I did not get to Ship or further up river than Burlington/Mt. Vernon.<br>
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