Tweets - I'm glad I made the time for this morning's walk 8:00 and not 7:30;
it was hard enough dragging myself out of bed as it was. Eleven of us
managed to throw off our hangovers (OK - maybe I was the only one with one),
and we set off on what started as a windless morning with heavy clouds.
Before long, a steady rain started, and soon the wind blew a bit too. Not
the greatest weather to start year, but worthwhile birding even if a bit
slow.

Highlights:

Western Grebe 1 WAY out on the lake?
AM. BITTERN Flushed from beside the lake platform
Northern Pintail A couple of flocks overhead
Hairy Woodpecker Female in cottonwoods at Pea Patch
Savannah Sparrow Brian Bell had one as he drove in

The BITTERN flushed as we approached the lake platform, but most of the
group managed to get a decent look as it flew to the southeast. This is the
first time we've had a bittern in January, and we've never had one in
December. Nearest previous sightings are the second week of November and
the second week of February.

A pretty good day for ducks, with Gadwall, American Wigeon, Mallard,
Northern Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Greater Scaup,
Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, and Common Merganser.

We had nice looks at FOX, GOLDEN-CROWNED, and WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, and we
may have had a Lincoln's Sparrow or two in the Pea Patch (along with about
20 SONG SPARROWS), but it/they refused to come out.

And with a good showing of about 25 birds today, AMERICAN GOLDFINCH has now
been seen in every week of the year. While common in summer, we have
frequently missed seeing them in winter. We had previously come up empty for
AMGO on the previous 9 visits during the first week in January.

The day provided about 45 species - a decent start for the new year, and the
bittern was a very nice first-week treat.

Next week, and hereafter, trips will be Wednesdays at 7:30.

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