The East Lake WA AS (ELWAS) had their Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 18. We had
seven areas to cover and 31 birders. It was a gray, although dry day, and
cool. The results were about average. We recorded 77 species compared to 84
in 1998 and a 15 year average of 78 (range from 68 to 87). Our total bird
count was 28,701 which is second highest total compared to 29,523 in 1996.
The 15 year average is 16,007. The South Snoqualmie area was flooded and
precluded getting to some areas. Sikes Lake was really a huge lake that
covered the whole valley. Our largest numbers were 5847 MALLARDS and 4794
AMERICAN WIGEON, but zero Eurasian Wigeon. Noteworthy birds were 1 GREAT
EGRET, 7 SNOW GOOSE, 48 DUNLIN, 1 LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER, 6 AMERICAN PIPIT, 4
RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER, 4 COMMON RAVEN, 4 BROWN CREEPER, 155 AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH and 1 backyard ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at aol.com