Subject: [Tweeters] On the Duwamish - 04-19-2005
Date: Apr 19 13:02:24 2005
From: Desilvis, Denis J - denis.j.desilvis at boeing.com


11:36 start - water level mid and rising (9:24 low tide - 5.2ft; 14:16
high tide - 7.9ft)
12:20 end

Blue sky, puffy clouds, and a crisp north breeze chopping the waters of
Turning Basin #3. VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS (this year's first) were active
over the Boeing parking area and TB3. A few pair nest in an old maple
about a quarter-mile upriver, and these may be part of that group.

I thought I might have the first of the returning CLIFF SWALLOWS, but
didn't get a good enough view of the brightly sunlit swallow that was
dancing in the air above one of the primary mud-gathering spots. It
looked as if the bird was going to touch down, but some gulls moved
right THERE and spooked the swallow away. Shouldn't be long now, though,
until the Cliff Swallows come back here.

Had a nice view of one of the Hamm Creek Ospreys and the Riverfront Park
Osprey interacting over TB3. Looked as if the Riverfront bird was in
control -- and provided several aerial displays. The ballet was broken
up by the return of 4 researchers in their small watercraft, which also
spooked the harbor seal that was poking around the north end of the
basin.

Birds seen during this scan include the following:
Canada Goose (5)
Mallard (5)
Bufflehead (2)
Common Merganser
Double-crested Cormorant (28; high number)
Osprey (3)
Mew Gull (68)
Glaucous-winged Gull (20)
Rock Pigeon (23)
Belted Kingfisher
American Crow (3)
Violet-green Swallow (6)
Barn Swallow
Black-capped Chickadee
European Starling (5)
Song Sparrow (4)
Red-winged Blackbird (2)
House Finch (2)
House Sparrow (2)

Total species for the year: 35.

May all your birds be identified,

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