I had a chance to run (almost literally) through the North Seattle
community College greenspace areas yesterday about 3 PM. There is
a new pond in the middle of the north greenspace, created when
dreding the new streambed dyked a wet area.
Should this pond survive it will be a breeding ground of mosquitoes,
frogs and flycatchers, we hope.

Misc. birds spotted quickly:

Canada goose
flicker
crow
song sparrow
house finch
robin
ruby crowned kinglets, 8, one with fine ruby crest
bewick wren
black capped chicks

Standing on the south end of the surge pond by the freeway, noisy true
but a good place for beginners to watch birds and identify, saw the
following:

ringnecked ducks - 1 m, 2 f
mallard - 2m, 2f
gadwall - 6
bufflehead - 1m, 1f
hooded merganser - 1m, 5f
piedbilled grebe - 2
WOODDUCKS - 7m, 7f

Despite construction, noise and muck, I believe this is the most
woodducks seen there at one time.

Most of them would paddle out from the brush, look pretty, and paddle
back to cover, but one pair unabashedly splashed across the pond,
flapping their wings wildly but never actually taking off.
Then straightened themselves out and calmly paddled back to cover.

Two of the female mergansers moved and dove simultaneously all the
time, like identical twins.

Overall, the birding was brief and there weren't many except for the
pond action.

Probably too hot.


Douglas F. Daily
ddaily at u.washington.edu
UW Medical Center Patient Care Svcs
System Administrator, Box 356152
Seattle WA 98195