Hi Tweets

Michael was out of town this week (flying back in today, but not at Marymoor this morning). Five of us met under cloudy skies and cool temperatures - but it didn't rain and wasn't particularly windy.

The highlight for the day was an American Tree Sparrow at the compost piles (near the interpretive/east area dog parking lot). As we were scanning the many White-crowned Sparrows, Ollie asked about the different one with the bright red crown. This bird was extremely cooperative giving us very nice looks at the red crown, the gray face with a dark line thru the eye, the overall lightish color and the vivid patterning on the coverts and scapulars. Because it was feeding very actively on the ground it was difficult to see the two-toned color to the bill. It flushed at one point, but was relocated a couple of minutes later. We were able to view the bird for at least ten minutes.

Lots of birds singing today, including AMERICAN ROBIN, SAVANNAH SPARROW, WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEE, BEWICK'S WREN, SPOTTED TOWHEE, MARSH WREN, SONG SPARROW, CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE, BUSHTIT, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET and PURPLE FINCH.

Birds seen with nesting materials included: AMERICAN CROW and GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. A RED-TAILED HAWK was on the nest on the odd snag west of the park.

Other interesting birds were:
SAVANNAH SPARROW - lots feeding on the grassy areas
BARN OWL - at the windmill early
VIRGINIA RAIL - heard at least two different places
WOOD DUCK - pair flying down river
WILSON'S SNIPE - camouflaged along river
YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLER - Audubon's type
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER - a couple northwest of the mansion

A very satisfying day with 62 species in all.

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville, WA
mailto: bellasoc at isomedia.com
Birding & Natural History Guide
author: Birds of Washington State - Lone Pine Publishing