Took a relatively quick run through here this morning, birding from the
truck. Next time, I'm going to be prepared to wade through some water to
walk into the fields a bit. There wasn't what I would consider much sparrow
activity (my reason for going). Conditions overcast, no wind, about 45
degrees.

The highlight at the start was a MERLIN that escorted me in, cooperatively
landing in a tree near that red Swiss Grange structure where Tualco Loop
Road breaks off of Tualco Road. Lucky for me she stayed put for a while to
get the scope set up. I hadn't seen a Merlin in ages and would have
mistakenly dismissed it as a Kestrel if I had only had a quick in-flight
sighting. I had forgotten how small they are.

Other birds seen in the area (no particular order) . . .

In the brambles . . . White-crowned sparrow, Song Sparrow, Lincoln's
Sparrow, Purple Finch, Winter Wren, Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Pileated Woodpecker
Black-capped Chickadee, Red-winged Blackbird, Starling, Robin, yadda yadda.
.. . .
Belted Kingfisher, Double-crested Cormorant
Bald Eagle (juv.), Red-tailed Hawk
Yellow-rumped Warbler (heard)

================================
Ned McGarry
Kirkland, WA
nmcgarry at gte.net