Michael is in Prague and Matt is back in Minnesota so I got to lead the group out at Marymoor this morning. We had a great day with good weather, cool early then warming up, clear early and some high cirrus later.

Lots of singing today, and lots of young birds around - plenty of practice in recognizing those unusual looking juvenile Dark-eyed Juncos and even some juvenile Yellow-rumped Warblers.

The Great Blue Heron young are getting really big and looking like fledging is imminent for many of them - one had fledged and was perched in a snag across from the second dog access point. Terrific bill clacking and complaining from the nest.

I had one Barn Owl early over the East Meadow. We wound up seeing and hearing 63 species today.

We had so much early activity that it took us from 5:30 to 8:30 to get to Dog Central.

Notable species:

Barn Owl                         East Meadow at 4:13

Green Heron                  Maybe 2 or 3

Peregrine Falcon          Over dog area quickly moving away to the north

Black Swift                     One bird - very unusual for clear conditions

Cassin's Vireo               Singing and excellent views

Purple Martin                 Male and two females at gourds at lake platform

Western Tanager          Heard by Sharon

Brian H. Bell

Woodinville Wa