The temperature at night over Western Washington at 5,000 feet is higher than the average July temperature at the same altitude. Seattle temperature on Monday reached 65 degrees. I took advantage of this June in January weather for a trip up to the Skagit Delta to see the winter birds.
We searched high and low for Snow Geese but only observed on large flock in the air south of the delta. Trumpeter Swans were more abundant that I've ever seen on the Skagit, and a few dozen Tundra Swans were present. The most unusual sighting was a Long-eared Owl. being observed by a couple dozen bird watchers.
This warm weather (which is predicted to remain for the rest of winter) bodes badly for the snowpack in both the Cascade and Olympic mountains...and for water this Summer. What is even more disastrous is the drought in California which has worsened this winter. This is a much bigger story than a short time snow storm in New England.
Well....at least it was a good day for photography....
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| Long-eared Owl |
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| Mt. Baker |
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| Northern Harrier |
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| Northern Harrier |
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| Trumpeter Swan |
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| Red-tailed Hawk |
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| Red-tailed Hawk |
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| Northern Harrier |
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| Northern Harrier |
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| Trumpeter Swan |
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| Long-eared Owl |
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| Skagit Delta bird watchers at Long-eared Owl roost |
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