Hello Tweets,

Hello Tweets,

This morning Jim Pruske and my mother and I ventured north up Magnuson Park in King Co. in search of the Tropical Kingbird. The morning started our calm and with no precipitation as we arrived at the park at 7am. We soon decided to do our searches for the bird by walking along Sand Point Way and connecting side streets south of Building 11. We also walked a portion of the Burke Gilman Trail,which hosted several species. Unfortunately we all split up and at exactly 8am the TROPICAL KINGBIRD was briefly observed atop a large stand of maple trees immediately south of the Fairway Heights Estates. The bird remained perched atop the tree for about 1 minute and upon returning with a spotting scope the bird had flown to an unknown location and could never be relocated during our visit,as we searched until 11am.

The area where the bird was observed is very private and the bird was originally seen from the Burke Gilman Trail then retracted at a closer range on the road going into the estates complex. During this brief observation the bird did not call,but showed all the other the main field marks for Tropical Kingbird. There were also good numbers of Am.Robins moving through the area,but the Tropical Kingbird was observed completely alone. The bird appears to be very elusive unlike most other Tropical Kingbirds we have observed in the past in Washington. The bird could essentially remain in the immediate area,but may be more difficult to refind as days go on. There is also more plentiful open habitat within Magnuson Park such as where the extensive dog area is. While doing some additional birding we also visited this nice area although it was very wet and windy as the morning progressed.

While searching for the Tropical Kingbird we scoped Lake Washington from Sand Point Way,where a small raft of Western Grebes were observed just beyond the large NOAA ship. Within the flock was a Clark's-type Grebe that could be somewhat easy to detect to be definite,but the only downfall was the distance. A Western Gull was also observed from this location too. We drove into Magnuson Park then parked and walked from there to the shores of Lake Washington. Soon upon arriving to the edge of the lake we obtained good views of a CLARK'S GREBE in amongst a flock of 20+ Western Grebes. The Clark's Grebe showed "classic" field marks including very pale gray sides,orange-yellow bill and white extending along the neck and over the red eye. The bird could be easily picked out amongst the darker Western Grebes since it was so much paler with very little black on the entire back of the neck. Anyhow,it was an added addition for our partial birding day! A single California Quail quickly dashed across a trail was the only other notable species observed in a bramble thicket bordering the dog area.

Another highlight while scoping Lake Washington was an adult Bald eagle that flew in and snatched a Horned Grebe from the water before flying off over the lake to the north. The bird initially landed into the water for about 10 seconds before it flew off with it's prey! It was quite a sight and not something we see everyday!

A few other species observed as we searched for the Tropical Kingbird(specifically in the residential area west of Sand Point Way)included the following:

5+ Anna's Hummingbirds
1 Pileated Woodpecker
10 Bushtits(with 40+ birds noted at Magnuson Park)
2 Hermit Thrushes(Burke Gilman Trail)
1 Cedar Waxwing
5-6 Yellow-rumped Warblers


Happy Thanksgiving,


Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com