Subject: On the Duwamish - 7/19/2004
Date: Jul 19 13:47:50 2004
From: Desilvis, Denis J - denis.j.desilvis at boeing.com


11:39am start - water level very low; all mudbanks exposed
12:11pm end

Tweeters,
The wind doesn't often come directly from the west, but it was today during this scan. Humid, warm, and mostly cloudy were other markers. One of the three Hamm Creek OSPREY nestlings was testing its wings, hopping up and being mildly airborne for a couple of seconds. They're getting closer to fledging. (Unfortunately, I have to go on a business trip for the rest of the week starting tomorrow, so I probably won't get the opportunity to see them fledge.)

The family-of-four COMMON MERGANSERS was snoozing on the mudflat on the eastern portion of the goose-exclusion area (renovation site at Turning Basin #3).

Not much else active, although a USGS-marked vessel for what looked like a lunchtime cruise (many passengers) came upriver to TB3 and headed back downriver.

Birds seen during this scan include the following:
Canada Goose (32)
Mallard (2)
Common Merganser (Adult plus 3 large young)
Osprey (2 adults, three young at Hamm Creek)
Killdeer (11; all just upriver of the Boeing bridge on the west bank)
Glaucous-winged Gull (10)
Rock Pigeon (9)
American Crow (14)
Marsh Wren (heard- singing from the restoration site near the goose exclusion area)
European Starling (17)
House Finch (2)

I told you it wasn't very active today ;>)

Note: Depending on whether or not I can break from business, I may have the opportunity to visit the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve at Huntington Beach, CA. It's one of my most favorite places to bird in Southern Cal: you never can tell what will turn up. Another month, and that place should be hopping with migrating shorebirds!


May all your birds be identified,

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