Maybe it was a good thing that several of my "regulars"
were out of town or otherwise away today, as there were 20 of us even
so. That's a big group, but we just sort of strung along and tried to
let those at either end know what was being seen. Sharon kept calling
us back for the good birds!
The morning was foggy to start, though not so bad that it really
hindered viewing except at the lake. But after the first hour or so
when things were hopping, the day got REALLY SLOW - basically from the
weir to the lake, we saw almost nothing. It picked up a bit after that,
though, and our 5+ hours netted a good species list and a few surprises.
Highlights:
Greater White-fronted Goose 2 with Canadas, seen by few of us
RUDDY DUCK First of
the year, female at lake
Western Grebe
Brian and 1 had 2 late on the lake, FoF
Green Heron 3
sightings
Northern Harrier 1
or more constantly overhead, it seemed
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Tiny presumed male at Compost Piles
Cooper's Hawk
Juvenile. Also, some accipiter sp. seen.
Wilson's Snipe
First of Fall (FoF), 2 at Rowing Club
Barn Owl
1 flew north across soccer fields early
Hairy Woodpecker Male
gave great views near weir
Anna's Hummingbird 3+,
including displaying male at Pea Patch
Red-breasted Sapsucker 1-2 birds, seen
poorly
COMMON RAVEN 1 calling as it flew
west - First of the year
American Pipit About
10 near east-end ball fields
BREWER'S BLACKBIRD First of the year -
rare bird for Marymoor
Pine Siskin FoF
- 3-4 at Pea Patch
Essentially no summer birds left. Absolutely no swifts, flycatchers,
vireos, swallows, Swainson's Thrush, warblers (except for Yellow-rumped),
tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Lazuli Buntings, or cowbirds.
Only about 4 of the 61 species we had today are birds that don't winter
in this area.
== Michael
Terrible photo of the female Ruddy Duck at the lake
Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk, photo by Hugh Jennings
Killdeer
Male Anna's Hummingbird
Female Gadwall
Adult Ring-billed Gull, 2009-10-11. Photo by Lillian Reis
Song Sparrow eating Bittersweet Nightshade berries, 2009-10-11.
Photo by Lillian Reis