Tweets - nine of us went out this morning. The day was cloudy, dark, and
quiet until about 10:00, when it became sunny, at least where we were.
There were still clouds all around us. It was a day without too many
highlights, though there were, as always, sightings that made it all
worthwhile.

Highlights:

Green Heron Immature at weir
Northern Shoveler Several at lake, First of Fall
Cooper's Hawk Many sightings, several close
Northern Shrike Immature landed right next to us
Anna's Hummingbird 3-4
American Kestrel One flying south over dog area

COOPER'S HAWK sightings were abundant. I had an adult at the model airplane
field at about 7:25 a.m. There was an adult in Snag Row around 8:00, seen
several times. We had one land next to the lake platform (there was also
possibly a SHARP-SHINNED too, though I'm not 100% sure). One cruised right
past us as we passed the East Meadow, and one was circling NE of the mansion
as we were leaving the park. I may even be forgetting a sighting or two. I
suspect there had to be at least 3 and maybe more birds.

South of the East Meadow, we were watching BUSHTITS, when I heard alarm
calls. Motion to my right turned out to be a juvenile NORTHERN SHRIKE which
landed at the top of a willow about 20 feet away from us. It stayed there
for about 45 seconds, and though we were very near it, several people had
trouble seeing the bird. It then flew off to the southeast, being chased by
a hummingbird (presumably Anna's).

Later, at the Pea Patch, we had great views of a female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Then we saw two hummingbirds, chasing each other, with lots of tail flaring
in flight by the second bird, which turned out to be a male Anna's. The two
perched next to each other on top of corn stalks, allowing good long looks.

Early on, we were beset by glimpses of flying ducks that we could not ID in
the dim light. One flock were either Ring-necked or scaup, another flock
may have been Green-winged Teal (we did have 1 female at the lake with 2
Shoveler). Ollie may have had a Hooded Merganser (which we did NOT have at
the Rowing Club, though they have been regular there for weeks). Others
went by too fast or too far away to say anything about them, except that
they weren't Mallards.

So, a pleasant day, even if the birding wasn't top-notch. For the day, 53
species.

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