Harlequin in weird places?

[85yota]

Buddy took this photo a few miles east of skykomish. I'm pretty sure it's a harly, but not sure why it would be so far east?

[RobinHoodlum]

Common for them to nest in habitat like that

[Bullkllr]

 

They nest on rivers, then winter on the salt.

[85yota]

Ahh thanks guys. I just figured that far east didn't make sense. Penisula rivers I get, or low river in the valleys close to the ocean made more sense. My friend doesn't hunt just said that this is one of the coolest birds hes ever seen in skykomish what the heck is it. I was shocked and figured it was abnormal to be that close to the pass.

[metlhead]

Tieton, Nisqually, Wynoochee and Hamma Hamma where I have seen em

[metlhead]

Also, anyone wanting really good photos, drive out Ediz hook in March. Lotsa birds

[greenhead_killer]

I had pics on my old phone, not sure what I did with it but I saw a pair up the teanaway river about 6 years ago. Up the north fork towards the hatchery. I couldn’t believe it

[Man Tracker]

Some even breed as far east as Glacier Natl Park

[ASHQUACK]

Some even breed as far east as Glacier Natl Park

Glacier does a trap and band study on them. I've spoken with one of the head biologists there. He was a great guy with tons of information on Harliquen.

[stickbuck]

Buddy took this photo a few miles east of skykomish. I'm pretty sure it's a harly, but not sure why it would be so far east?

Pretty awesome to see them up the river systems this time of the year. It is pretty common for them to be found that close to Puget Sound. Craziest place I’ve ever seen a Harlequin was up Taneum Creek west of Thorp. We were driving up the 33 Road and took our usual left hand turn onto the Gnat Flat Rd. It crosses Taneum Creek before it heads up the hill and as we cross the bridge, the kids yelled to stop the truck. I leaned over and looked out the passenger window and was completely shocked to see the most beautiful drake and hen Harlequin. The plumage of the drake was incredible. I snapped a few photos and we continued up the road. To this day, I am still in awe of the route that pair took to get to their nesting grounds for the spring.


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