Hi Tweeters,

Carol Schultz, and Deborah (from Rainier Audubon)and I
went out birding yesterday. The plan was to try for
the Clay-colored Sparrow at Marymoor, then the
Harris's Sparrow in Olympia. Well you know how plans
are...

We didn't see the Clay-colored but did get to see a
nice variety of the usual suspects of sparrows. We
walked the loop at Marymoor. The highlight had to be
6 returning Western Meadowlarks in the Dog area. The
number of Yellow-rumped Warblers (mostly Audubon's) in
the park was mind-numbing, 100+ easy. We also saw a
late Yellow Warbler in the mix. We saw large numbers
of Violet-green Swallows swooping around.

After lunch we intended to head to Olympia but by the
time we stopped at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
the word at that time was the Harris's Sparrow hadn't
shown itself yet. So we walked up to McAllister
Creek.
Several great birds on this walk, apx. 8 Turkey
Vultures, 5 Pectoral Sandpipers with 2 Long-billed
Dowitcher's in the flooded fields on the left as you
are facing the creek. The Cackling Geese (about 15)
were in the field on the other side. We also heard
and saw flocks in the air. At least 2 Peregrine
Falcons in the area. All 3 of us had killer looks at
a Virginia Rail foraging in the open. Also many
Violet-green Swallows here. They seem to be hanging
around pretty late, but I don't mind. Miss those
swallows in the winter.

I drove around the Kent valley area a little on my
return but no signs of the Cackler Geese here yet.

Kathy
Roosting in S. King County



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