This afternoon I impulsively decided to visit the Kent Ponds for my first
time; the report of a black tern was too much for me to resist. I have a
special fondness for terns, as well as martins. I searched the web for
directions, looked at some old tweeter posts, even looked on the
"Terraserver" to get a satellite view of the area. I should have followed
Carol Schulz's directions, they turned out to be the best (drive north on
59th and look for the ponds on your right). Almost as soon as I stepped out
of the car a KESTREL flew by, with a few red wings in hot pursuit. It
perched briefly on a snag, then moved to a light post right next to the car.
Then it took off to the NE, and I never saw it again. Then I looked down
toward the water and I saw a guy with his black lab right smack in the
middle of the area. He was carrying some throw toys for the dog, and they
walked away to the NE. So instead of seeing a black tern I had to settle for
a black lab.
My other highlight were the SPOTTED SANDPIPERS, four of them in the smaller
pond to the SE.

Afterwards I made a quick trip to the Montlake Fill, in search of the
yellow-headed black bird; I struck out, but was pleased to get a good look
at a CANVASBACK in the central pond.

By the way, thanks to the many folks who kindly advised me on the road
conditions to Wenas Creek; pretty much everybody said it would be fine, and
to just take it slowly and be especially careful if it's raining.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA