12:05pm start
12:32pm end
Very high water level; looks as if the tide has turned, though.

Tweeters,
Two PEREGRINE FALCONS, a MERLIN, and a RED-TAILED HAWK during this scan contributed to a superb Friday on the river. As I was setting up my scope, I spotted a Peregrine on the east power tower, and thought I saw the head of another bird just beyond it (huh?). A quick scope view showed the head of another Peregrine Falcon about 5-6ft from the first bird. The mad dash I made along the roadway/parking lot toward the tower, scope bouncing on my shoulder, was mostly for naught because the "second" falcon took off, flapped a couple of times, and glided to a landing on the catwalk of the west power tower. I tried to see if it had bands, but couldn't determine that.

I spotted another "bump" on a power tower across from my position (this tower is along SR 599, west of the Quonset hut at Turning Basin #3). With bins I thought it might be another Peregrine (I can't be that lucky!); however, the scope view showed it to be a Merlin, right at the top, preening and checking out the area (head-bobbing a lot). I glanced back at Peregrine Falcon #1, and watched a dark Red-tailed Hawk glide-flap past the east power tower toward the hill next to SR 599.

A flock of 19 DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS came upstream, diving and surfacing with fish. Unlike the flock that came by the other day, these weren't as tightly knit, and several of the birds took off, heading much further upstream.

Birds seen during this scan include the following:
Gadwall
Common Merganser (2)
Double-crested Cormorant (22)
Red-tailed Hawk
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon (2: !!!)
Glaucous-winged Gull (16)
Rock Pigeon (~40)
Belted Kingfisher
Song Sparrow (2)

May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis
Seattle, WA
denis.j.desilvis at boeing.com