Sammish Flats Less the Usual Falcons

Kay, Linda, Ron and I headed out from LaConnor after a less wonderful than usual night at the Channel Lodge, upstairs guests stomping around half the night and no hot water for showers in the whole place this morning, but a nice breakfast and we were off by 10 AM to bird the Sammish Flats and surrounding areas.  A spectacular sunny cold day greeted us, but the falcons did not.  We had for the whole trip exactly one species of falcon, AMKE.  Our first time for a winter trip there with no PEFA, and no MERL PRFA or GYRF either.  Relatively few buteos were present, today’s count was 4 RLHA and 2 RTHA, though good numbers of NOHA and BAEA.  We did get at least 5 SEOW near the West 90 corner parking area.

We even missed the Edison Merlin though we visited twice to look. Lunch at the Edison Bar & Grill was at best a fair Black-bean burger and fries.

By far the best part of the trip was our visit with Ron and Linda.  Unexpected news of them expecting their second grandchild from Andrew and Asika in July.  We had lots of time to talk in the car, at meals and caught up on everything.

Tomorrow is the Vashon Island CBC with Ken, meeting at 3 AM at his house to go owling, so hoping to get to sleep early.