There is indeed a juvenile Lewis' Woodpecker at Juanita Bay Park in Kirkland, several birders watched it this morning from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and probably later. Gene Hunn's book lists this as a rare sighting for King County, but not unheard of.

The bird has black back, wings, and tail, a dark brown head, neck, and chest, with a tuft of white on the side of the neck, but no neck-ring. Belly is a dark rosy-red. It can be found flycatching along the southwestern boardwalk, usually from the tall central snag or in the dead trees or stump just beyond the north end of the boardwalk.

Just as exciting to me were the excellent views of a Sora still in breeding plumage, hopping around on the lily pads near the reeds in plain view, for a long time. The Sora was seen when looking back toward the central snag from the northern end of the boardwalk.

On a less positive note, I was appalled at the extensive invasion of purple loosestrife into the central wetlands area near the main boardwalk. It's expanded quite significantly this year. If the parks dept. doesn't get it under control soon, this great wetlands may never be the same.

Teresa Michelsen
avocet at halcyon.com
Kenmore, WA