Still more LEAST sandpipers are showing up (6+ this morning).
Gulls seen here briefly or seasonally now include several freshly
basic-plumed BONEPARTE'S, a few CALIFORNIA and MEW, one or two RING-BILLED
and the usual late summer huge increase of Glaucous-winged plus various
GW x W hybrids. The morning beach had 15 or more KILLDEER running about,
and the air was filled with BARN swallows. I believe most of these are
the local nesting population with this seasons' hatch of youngsters.
There is still a lot of activity and occupation of the nest-area ledges
under the public boat launch wharf.

Finally there were 20 or more BAND-TAILED pigeons in the trees on the
bluff just on the north side of the beach park. This year, they have been
routinely seen at this site almost any morning. Perhaps, our local
population of this species is growing. People with yard feeders in the
little Normandy Park neighborhood on the bluff above the beach area/senior
center tell me that the pigeons are more frequent at their feeders now,
compared to few or none in recent years.

It's a quite nice day........

Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA

"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-