Thanks Gene, I got this bird as a lifer after you posted it. The bird was right where you described, hanging out on the ground, or a foot or so off the ground in the outlying branches of the shrubs. Excellent looks though!

I also watched a Bald Eagle as it harassed a flock of American Coots on Union Bay. It started mostly ignoring the flock though, and I noticed on a couple of its dives, a coot trying to surface for air. This went on for a few minutes. Finally, I don't know if the coot drowned or if it just couldn't stay under water any longer, but the eagle swooped down and snatched it up and flew off towards the east.

Right after that, I left the SE point of the Fill, only to hear a sound. I turned and saw a Short-eared Owl just heading out from the Fill over the Bay! I watched it for a few moments as it flew across towards Marsh Island. I then headed around the main pond to see what was what. Not much going on there, a few Northern Shovelers, and lots of Butterbutts aka Yellow-rumped Warblers. I got around to the west side of the pond to start looking for the Longspur, and saw just hundreds of American Crows flying. Saw something else flying around with them too, much lighter in color. Put up the bins and what-do-you-know but it was the Short-eared Owl! A number of the crows were circling and swooping, and the group moved mostly south, but I was able to watch for a few moments. This was maybe 3-500 feet above Union Bay, right out in the middle. Spectacular show.

I then moved on to the area where the Lapland Longspur was reported, and soon saw a yellowish streak go through the low weeds. I knew it was the bird, but I wanted an ID. I left the area for a few minutes to allow it to settle again, and upon my return, I located the bird quickly and got to watch it for a few minutes from about 7-10m. I left the Longspur and was right by the deeper pond on the west end of the Fill and heard repeated whinnies from a Sora. Finally, as I was leaving that area to go get my bicycle, my last notable bird was a Cooper's Hawk soaring across the Fill from west to east.

All in all, an excellent, if very wet, evening at the Montlake Fill aka Union Bay Natural Area. Thanks again Gene for the heads up on the Lapland Longspur. Loves me some lifers!

Brett

Eugene and Nancy Hunn <enhunn323 at comcast.net> wrote:
Tweets,

I enjoyed long, close looks at a cooperative LAPLAND LONGSPUR at the Montlake Fill ca. 1:45 PM today. It was the first bird I saw as I started a brief reconnoiter on my way home from the office. It gave a soft, abbreviated rattle, then landed in a small tree about two feet up and just sat there for a long time. It eventually flew a bit and landed in another tree! I've never known a longspur to do that. I suspected it of being a Smith's Longspur as it was extensively straw yellow on the belly, undertail, flanks, and shoulders with a rather plain face with a neat narrow white eye ring. However, on consulting Sibley I ruled that out as it had distinct rufous greater coverts and broadly rufous margined tertials, long primary extension, and a hint of a dark breast band. In any case, it's an interesting bird that might still be around. It was just east of the trail that heads south from the Wahkiakum Rd. cross fill trail not far from Lot E-5, right where the tree plantings give
way to grass.

Gene Hunn
18476 47th Pl. NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
enhunn323 at comcast.net

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