Subject: Fill filosophy
Date: Sep 27 19:41:37 2003
From: Margaret Parkinson - margparkie at comcast.net



I was al the Fill this evening as those "purple and gold flocks of a
feather" were leaving. Connie saw them arrive and I saw them leave so
they were well documented today!

After having been sick for a few weeks I was hungry to see what is going
on at the Fill. While feeling sad to see that the swallows have all
left, I am so happy to see the return of so many water birds. The Wood
Ducks on Union Bay are exquisite.

Like Connie, I was frustrated by the Warblers. Well, actually I am sure
I was way more frustrated than Connie since by birding skills are
miniscule compared to hers. However, those little squeaking wonders are
"everywhere" and since they refuse to stand still for ten minutes while
I get a good look at them, any identification I made was a mere guess.
What I need is a class on warblers that includes not only their
appearance standing still but their appearance in flight, the appearance
of little bits of them and details about behavior and habitat. Anyone
know of such a class? Anyone willing to put one on? I would be there
in a flash.

I noticed another thing at the Fill this evening. There were many male
and female red-winged blackbirds. I remember seeing that in previous
Falls. However, what I don't remember observing are sounds and behavior
that I associate with Spring--that is: males and females apparently
chasing each other; loud raucous calling and males with puffed up red
epaulets. Is this unusual for this time of year or is it just that my
developing birding skills are noticing something I have not noticed
before?

As always, the Fill restores my soul. I love it.

Margaret Parkinson
University District. Seattle