On Saturday Jim McCoy wrote (in part):

>>>>I got to Montlake Fill for the first time today, and already I'm spoiled
rotten: two life birds and seven state birds at one small pond in less =
than an hour.<<<<

Congratulations Jim.

>>>>Later I saw a swan on Portage Bay from 520, but I couldn't stop. Has
anybody seen this bird? I've never seen a trumpeter swan -- are they easy
to get here in the winter?<<<<

Yes, and no. Yes there are swans at the Montlake Fill all the time,
unfortunately they are most likely the mute swans (Cygnus olor) that reside
in the area. No, trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator) are not easy to get
there (nor elsewhere in the city). In her article "Birds of the Montlake
Fill" (Washington Birds 4:1-34, 1995) Ellen Ratoosh gives a single report by
Kevin Aanerud of an adult and an immature on 15 December 1984. Obviously
more recent reports may exist, but I doubt they will change the status of
the species in this area.

Hope this helps,

Martin Muller, Seattle
MartinMuller at email.msn.com