It was a strange day today under fairly unrelenting overcast, but no wind or
rain. I was joined by three others for a walk with long periods of quiet and
moments of frenetic bird activity. Quite a few highlights, as migration
continues:

Cooper's Hawk Adult in the Pea Patch at 6:30
Virginia Rail Nice call from below weir
Steller's Jay More jays than robins today
Red-eyed Vireo Two, I think
Warbling Vireo Again 2, I think, hanging with REVIs
Orange-crowned Warbler Several, some bright, some not
Wilson's Warbler One bright male, maybe a couple more
Black-throated Gray Wblr Gorgeous male, later a female
Lincoln's Sparrow Nice look in Pea Patch
White-crowned Sparrow Adult and imms in Pea Patch
Purple Finch A couple, could be hatch year birds

As we passed the first footbridge, a cluster of birds (including SWAINSON'S
THRUSH, BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK, DOWNY WOODPECKER, and an OSPREY) drew us
progressively back up the trail. As we reemerged near the closed-off dog swim
area (opposite the rowing club dock), we met with a huge flock of BLACK-CAPPED
CHICKADEE and at least 25+ BUSHTITS. Among these were a mixed duo of vireos
(one Warbling, one Red-eyed), the male Wilson's, the Purple Finches, one or two
of the Orange-crowneds, and the male Black-throated Gray (the only cooperative
bird of the bunch, he hung around in one place for all to see). There were
probably 75+ individual birds in a 50-yard hemisphere, all in constant action.
We all caught glimpses and promises, but few great looks. Exhilarating and
frustrating at the same time. But by the end of the day, almost everyone had a
decent look at almost every species.

Later, as we came out from the cottonwoods after the boardwalk, we saw a flying
bird which was seemingly being escorted by BARN SWALLOWS. To both Brian Bell
and myself, it looked to be an EASTERN KINGBIRD, though we cannot be sure. It
was clearly larger than the swallows, appeared uniformly dark above, and
whitish below. There were no noticeable markings on the wing, nor on the
breast. It was flying with even wingbeats (not bouncily like a finch or
pipit). A tantalizing possibility.

A beautiful trio of WOOD DUCKS at the RC ponds, including a nice drake, made
for a final treat (though they are to be expected at this time of year).

Green Heron, American Coot, and Yellow Warbler were the only misses really, and
I may have had a Yellow Warbler though I couldn't be sure.

All told, we had 48 species plus the possible kingbird.

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