The Yellow-breasted Chat was again detected today at Kent Ponds. It sang
once from the lagoon island, where it has been since at least 22 May. Also,
today there were shorebirds flying over, though the ponds do not have enough
mud to attract them. Five Short-billed Dowitchers were the highlight. An
early Ruby-crowned Kinglet was also good.
Afterwards, Roger Orness, Carol Schulz and I were at the Boeing Ponds, which
has poor shorebird habitat at the moment. An adult Peregrine (a dainty male)
was resting on a nearby Boeing building. And, surprise, a Say's Phoebe was
sallying out from the chain-link fence where one (this one?) spent the
winter through at least 17 April.
Cheers
Charlie Wright
Bonney Lake, Washington