A very pretty day starting with the full moon, a gorgeous sunrise, a few wisps
of fog, a rainbow (or cloudbow) to the north, clouding up a bit for a few
minutes, then clearing to beautiful sunshine. Not windy either, making for a
pleasant walk.

The birds seemed to appreciate the weather too, with the Bewick's Wrens really
starting to sing, a few half-hearted songs from the Song Sparrows, and the
Black-capped Chickadees tuning up for spring. The Ruby-crowned Kinglets crowns
were brilliantly flashing.

At the south end of the dog area, we had a really nice mixed finch flock
featuring 5 PURPLE FINCH (3 males) along with PINE SISKIN and AMERICAN
GOLDFINCH, all feeding together on Ash seeds and birch catkins. We had nice
looks at these species at several spots along the way.

Other highlights:

Lincoln's Sparrow Nice early-morning bird near weir
Brown Creeper East end of boardwalk in a mixed flock
Northern Harrier Low flyover by a striking male at about 10am

The Rowing Club ponds featured a dozen Green-winged Teal, four American Wigeon,
two female Northern Shoveler, a male Ring-necked Duck, plus Mallard, Gadwall,
and Bufflehead. The slough added two female Hooded Merganser, two female
Greater Scaup, and a female Common Goldeneye, and we had two male Common
Merganser fly overhead.

An even 50 species in just under 4 hours of pleasure for Brian Bell and myself.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== Hummer at isomedia.com
== http://www.scn.org/fomp/birding.htm