On my usual walk in the Lake Hills Greenbelt in east Bellevue, I had the
following interesting sighting. At Larsen Lake, I had the first COMMON
MERGANSER (female) of the fall. Also, still had a WESTERN TANAGER calling
from some birch trees, a COOPER'S HAWK in the tall dead tree at the east end.
As I was heading for the north entrance, there was a large flock of
BAND-TAILED PIGEONS feeding in the only oak tree in the area with others in
nearby fir trees. Something scared them all off and I estimated there were at
least 50 in the flock. That is the largest flock I have ever seen.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder at aol.com