What a wonderful day I had at the Montlake
Fill! Saw an eagle and a red-tail soaring
as I walked in. At the marsh, I watched an
eagle take a fish and head off towards the
Arboretum, a couple of gulls in hot pursuit.

Then found a marsh wren singing lustily--first
time I've been able to ID this bird. There
was a great blue in full plumage, making the
mistake of getting too close to a red-wing.
The RWBB dive-bombed the great blue til he
convinced it to retreat; then he went after
a crow.

Another mature baldy sat in the dead tree,
near the water, getting hassled by a
couple of crows. It was the first time I'd
heard an eagle scream -- my back was to him
but I knew immediately what it was.

Thought last time I'd seen some American
Pipits, but on running into the bird again
(on the ground instead of in the trees)
I noticed it didn't pump its tail or bob
its head, so I went through the sparrows
again. Probably a Savannah: there was
definitely yellowish eyebrow (instead of
lore, tho), streaking and then whitish belly.

Saw my first goldfinches of the season too.
Only 2 families of goslings so far. Still
haven't been able to find the Cinnamon Teal.

--Rebecca Galloway, Northgate, Seattle