This was a Monday Morning ELWAS field trip on a beautiful, sunny day in
the 50s which yielded 30 species. We began with a RED-TAILED HAWK sitting
on a nest that could be viewed from the Newport Hills P&R where we met. At
Lake Fenwick we were greeted by the call of a BALD EAGLE which we saw a
little later. On the lake were BUFFLHEAD, COMMON MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED
DUCKS, beautiful WOOD DUCKS, MALLARD, and CANADA GEESE. Flitting and
feeding in the trees in the sunlight were both species of KINGLETS
displaying their crowns. BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES and single BUSHTITS. It is
good to hear the RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS singing their pretty song which we
only hear in the spring. A gorgeous RED-BREASED SAPSUCKER gave us excellent
close views for many minutes. SONG SPARROWS and RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS were
present and calling. A BELTED KINGFISHER flew up and then down the lake.
>From Lake Fenwick we worked our way to Russell Road and past the Green
River NRA (Kent Ponds) to Andersen Park. We didn't have time to stop at the
ponds, but we did check for Barn Owl pellets under the pine trees. There
were numerous pellets, all of which were old and we didn't seen any owls.
Our last stop was at the Boeing Ponds just north of 212th St. Here we added
GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON and RUDDY DUCKS. A pleasant surprise was our
first OSPREY of the year. It was hunting over the ponds. An immature
RED-TAILED HAWK soared overhead while being chased by a crow. It was a nice
morning trip for birding.

Hugh Jennings
Bellevue, WA
hughbirder AT earthlink.net