What a difference a week makes! Suddenly, after 10 weeks of late summer
birding, this week was different. Fall is definitely coming - or is it here
already?

Some of the new fall sightings:

American Wigeon One male
Hermit Thrush Great view - grey back,
rusty tail, distinct spots
Western Tanager One or two
Lincoln Sparrow At least 5, very visible
Golden-crowned Sparrow All immatures
White-crowned Sparrow All immatures

In the pea patch, and in the willow and blackberry scrub immediately south of
the pea patch, there was an amazing collection of birds, mostly sparrows and
finches. There were at least 15 immature White-crowned sparrows, along with
about 5 immature Golden-crowns. There were more Lincoln's sparrows than I've
ever seen before - they were very visible too. Lots of Savannah's in the Pea
Patch, along with many goldfinches in all of their more obscure plumages.
Towhees and Song Sparrows made a total of six sparrow species. Also in the
same bushes were robin, house finch, Bewick's wren, black-capped chickadee,
and yellowthroat. A lot of birds in a little area.

There were some summer birds still present, but not many. Yellowthroat are
still EVERYWHERE. There was a single Vaux's Swift among the Barn Swallows,
and there were three or four Willow Flycatcher. I thought I heard a
Swainson's thrush as well. There were, however, no waxwings, warblers (except
yellowthroats), vireos, or grosbeaks.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== MJCT_Hobbs at msn.com