Hey tweets, This afternoon I found a SOLITARY SANDPIPER on Shoveler Pond at
the Fill. It flew in just as one really threatening thundercloud was moving
off toward Bellevue and another one was piling up from the northwest. I had
been standing for 45 minutes at the edge of the pond, debating about whether
to venture any further onto the Fill's central area, where I would be the
tallest object for several dozen feet. I mean, I think birding is
electrifying, but there are limits, and getting hit by lightning is where I
draw the line. So I stood there muttering the song, "Should I stay or should
I go?" kind of getting into it, you know, and hoping that the joggers
passing by had their earphones plugged in. Then the bird flew in, bobbed
once or twice, started feeding and flew off, all within at most 3 minutes.
It dove down into the grassy area between the main pond and Shoveler Pond. I
tried to relocate it, but a very aggressive male Canada Goose with babies to
protect warned me that he could take me on anytime, and maybe he just would.
This male is well-known to my husband and me, as he's been ultra-aggressive
for weeks now, to the point where he came after me when I was still 100
yards away one day. John calls him Mr. Hissy.

Also notable: an OSPREY being chased by a crow; several NORTHERN
ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOWS, a few VAUX'S SWIFTS, and a flock of 38 (!) COMMON
MERGANSERS. - Connie, Seattle

csidles at isomedia.com