Hello Everyone,
Conditions turned quite nice today with sun, blue sky, billow-big clouds
and still a bit woolly-sweater weather. SWAINSON'S Thrush has finally
arrived; the two observed this afternoon appeared to be the 'swainsoni'
subspecies (very uniform smoky gray-brown on top.) Also, a BROWN-HEADED
Cowbird male was seen and heard; I suspect that even the deep woods areas
of Seahurst Park are not extensive enough to escape the nest parasitism of
the cowbird. Several TOWNSEND'S Warblers were spotted; all appeared to be
the pure.....not hybridized with Hermit warbler.....species.

I'm astonished to find at least 3 VARIED Thrushes remaining in our forest,
and a STELLER's Jay is still hanging around, at this seemingly late date
for this low elevation?

The proximate Sound was most interesting, especially in the cove area
near the Marine Institute building and north around the cresent of the
private beach. A floating parade of at least 300 WESTERN Grebes drifted
close enough to shore to easily hear their whistles and chitchat. It was
also amazing to see 5 COMMON Loons, 3 still in basic plumage. A
beautiful alternate-plumed loon was observed foraging within 3 meters of
the beach! These must be the same loons I've been reporting over the
last few weeks. BRANT geese, a group of 50-60, swam to shore near some of
the private homes north of the public areas. A few pairs of BUFFLEHEADs,
some small flotillas of SURF Scoters, and a single GADWALL duck (appeared
to be possibly injured) were in the water close to shore. A scattering of
HORNED Grebes, all in alternate plumage were quite far off shore.

An immature BALD Eagle lazed and circled overhead, not particularly
impressing anyone except pigeons; perhaps this eagle had already dined.

Numbers of BAND-TAILED Pigeons were spooking in the north end trees at
water's edge. SONG Sparrows, SPOTTED Towhees, ROBINS and BEWICK'S Wrens
seemed to be everywhere singing and scolding my bino-eyes. These four
species all must be abundant nesting residents. PACIFIC-SLOPE
Flycatchers are being heard daily; perhaps they will also nest locally.
We do have a pair of HOUSE Finches, free of the facial-lesion epidemic
that has swept this species, nesting close to my building plus one or more
pairs of NORTHERN Flickers in vicinity with families. A couple of WINTER
Wrens sing in specific locations every time I survey. The BLACK-CAPPED
and CHESTNUT-BACKED chickadees and COMMON Bushtits have all become more
quiet and secretive, busy baby feeding. The VIOLET-GREEN Swallow
population is growing in our neighborhood with the welcomed swirling mass
of them feeding above our buildings, especially in the afternoon.

I am sad to report that about all of the Pacific Madrone trees, some truly
majestic specimens, in Seahurst forest and along the shore appear infected
with the epidemic blight; perhaps none will survive. I keep looking for
the odd trees that may have some resistance to the pestilence, preserving
this wonderful native tree.

Finally, on a brighter note, I saw a Red Fox again today in the forest, a
second sighting in the last three weeks. Though I have been seeing a
number of mouse and vole carcasses along the trails, I suspect our local
foxes don't have to work too hard to survive. There are many yards and
patios with pet-food dishes left out along all boundaries of the forest.
I called after the Fox I saw today that he needs to watch his waistline.
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Account of trip to central WA on Sat, 05-08-99: Masses of
BARN Swallows plus some ROUGH-WINGED's and CLIFF's were found at the ponds
at the Dodson Rd/Frenchman Hills intersection. There were many
BLACK-NECKED Stilts, a few CANVASBACKs, a couple of AVOCETs, CINNAMON and
BLUE-WINGED Teal (2-3 pairs of these,) REDHEADS, A SHOVELER or two,
GADWALLs, MALLARDs, YELLOW-HEADED (and Red-winged and Brewer's)
Blackbirds, MARSH Wrens, a few GREAT BLUE Herons and a scattering of GREAT
Egrets. Birding was generally sparse, and though sunny, the wind was
incredibly frigid; it was difficult to remain out of the car for more than
a couple of minutes. Even Magpies were out in what seemed to be small
numbers, and a single WESTERN Kingbird was noted. An off-course
BROWN-HEADED Cowbird male was spotted shivering in a ragged tree at the
high desert rest stop near the Columbia Gorge.

However, KESTRELS, REDTAIL Hawks and RAVENs were abundant, and a number of
HARRIERS-mostly all males!, were coasting over the fields. A possible
Ferruginous Hawk was sighted, and a possible Swainson's Hawk nesting was
observed plus a pair of LONG-BILLED Curlews far off over wheatfield
stubble. The usual OSPREY and REDTAIL Hawk nests were occupied with
peering heads. A single TURKEY VULTURE soared over I-90 on the east
side of Snoqualmie Pass (snow flurries going and coming plus a good hail
pelting, too!)

A drive up the Blue Bird road revealed a few houses occupied with more
MOUNTAIN, than WESTERN, Bluebirds in residence. WESTERN Meadowlarks were
singing all around, and a few WHITE-CROWNED sparrows were seen. ROBINs
were massed in abundance in the Ponderosa Pine upland meadows, and a
single VARIED Thrush was found. Not much else was seen, no warblers or
Lewis' woodpeckers and not even many sparrows; it was really quite cold,
and the trees/shrubs are barely budding in the uplands. But, the
scenery, as usual, was ethereal! Perhaps, lots more birds will be seen
on a repeat trip in about 4 weeks.

Happy Mothers Day to All,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu U of WA & Burien-Seahurst Park, WA
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"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-

"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities." -Pogo-