Helo Tweets,

Today my mother and I ventured up to The University of Washington campus
area of Seattle, mainly Foster and Marsh Islands, and the University of
Washington Arboretum from 10am-3:30pm in search of the Hoary Redpoll(s) that
were/was observed yesterday by Eugene Hunn, and others, as well as this
morning after 8am by Ken Knittle and Marv Breece, where they located one
bird wit 90+ Common Redpolls at the east end of Marsh Island in several
birch trees, but the bird(s) could NOT be relocated throughout the day
thereafter despite very extensive searching of the entire area by up to at
least 20 birders, as well as driving to nearby locations in finding and
locating several Common Redpoll flocks. The flocks were noted in several
areas away from the initial locations, including the University of
Washington boathouse, as well as near the marina, just west of the
boathouse, with most redpoll flocks being observed after 11:30am. The
largest flock that we personally noted was about 70-80 birds at the east end
of Foster Island about 11:45am, where the flock was thoroughly checked over
by several birders, then the flock entirely dispersed and flew to towards
the boathouse, where the flock could have broken up into smaller flocks. Due
to the amount of birch and alder trees in the immediate and widespread area
the Common Redpoll flocks(occasionally mixed with American Goldfinches and
Pine Siskins)move around, so much searching may be required, but hopefully
the Hoary Redpoll(s) will get refound. Other notable birds observed during
our visit to Foster Island, and the University of Washington Arboretum
included:

5 REDHEAD(3 males, 2 females at the north end of Lake Washington observed
from the Marsh and Foster Island trail, mixed in with larger numbers of
American Coots, and Ring-necked Ducks). A notable count for the winter in
Puget Sound.
1 Cooper's Hawk
6 Anna's Hummingbirds
1 Red-breasted Sapsucker
1 Townsend's Warbler


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net