The monthly Discovery Park Bird Census was today, and there were lots
and lots of birds! The beach team found one LAPLAND LONGSPUR and saw
two PARASITIC JAEGERS harrassing the BONAPARTE'S GULLS. I hiked down to
the beach later in the day and found the longspur and one jaeger, but
the biggest surprise was two MOUNTAIN CHICKADEES.

Directions:

The Lapland Longspur was just south of the West Point lighthouse. Walk
down to the beach (or drive, if you qualify for a pass) and follow the
paved road to the lighthouse. There is a turnaround just before the
gate and a retaining wall with "Coast Guard" written on it. A path goes
left from here along the beach. The bird was foraging on the path by
the drinking fountain. It's very tame.

By the time I got there, the Parasitic Jaeger was quite distant, but
still visible from the beach around the north side of West Point,
chasing gulls and terns. It might actually have been easier to see this
bird from Shillshole or Golden Gardens.

The Mountain Chickadees were in the trees around the pond above the
beach on the north side of West Point. They were calling back and
forth.

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
RachelLawson at softhome.net