Another yearly survey of the birds in the Lake Hills Greenbelt was just
completed. I walked the area from Larsen L. to Phantom L. 3-4 times each week
starting about 0700 to 0800. A record of 98 species were noted in 1997,
compared to 87 in 1996, 76 in 1995, 79 in 1994 And 81 in 1990. Starting in the
spring, Joyce Meyer and Jim Ganley walked with me once each week, or covered
for me when I was out of town. This probably accounts for the increased
number of species seen. The combined total for five years is now up to114
species. The number of species seen or heard each week ranged from 31 for
week ending 10/4 to 50 for week ending 5/24. Monthly species ranged from 50
in Jan., Nov., and Dec. to 68 in May.

Nine new species were recorded in 1997: Least and Western Sandpiper;
Northern Pintail; American Pipit; Vaux's Swift; Western Wood-Peewee; and
Nashville, Orange-crowned, and Black-throated Gray Warblers.

As for mammals, a coyote was seen only once, muskrat three times, and did
not see a river otter, raccoon, or weasel.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at aol.com