Just before anyone panics, no it's not Thursday already. All of the posts about great birds from Montlake Fill almost got me headed there this morning before I "got real" about it and went to Marymoor instead. I did my usual walk - usual in all regards except that I was alone. Quite a change from the 12-17 people I've been having recently. I kept wishing for another pair of eyes and ears. The weather couldn't have been better - almost completely cloudless and no wind. Cool to start, but warming quickly.
The verdict? Spring is Here! I had SEVEN new birds for the year list!
Highlights:
Cinnamon Teal Male in slough near
lake
Osprey One on nest platform
Green Heron One near lake
Greater Yellowlegs ? 3 high flying silent shorebirds
Barn Swallow 2 flew over the Compost Piles
American Pipit 1 flyby
Orange-crowned Warbler 1 near weir, silent
Common Yellowthroat 4-5 singing away (saw 1)
Lincoln's Sparrow Only our second of the winter
Brown-headed Cowbird One male calling in flight
White-crowned Sparrow Still gambelii around, singing
I'm almost 100% sure of the ID on the yellowlegs.
Signs of breeding:
Red-tailed Hawk, presumably on eggs, on odd-snag nest
Barn Owl in nest box
Red-breasted Sapsuckers drumming
Downy Woodpecker drumming
Anna's Hummingbird male displaying
Rufous Hummingbird males displaying, female with nest material
Tree Swallows visiting nest boxes
Bushtits all paired up with one pair building nest
American Robin with nest material
For the day 57 species. The park year list is now up to 101.
== Michael
Orange-crowned Warbler in a Red Alder near the weir
Same Orange-crowned Warbler in a different Red Alder near the weir
Male "Audubon's" race Yellow-rumped Warbler in a Red Alder
Yellow-rumped Warbler at the Rowing Club
Common Yellowthroat failing to remain still for his photo
Caught him this time, in a Spirea
Male Cinnamon Teal in the slough near the start of the boardwalk
Barn Owl is presumably on eggs