Tweets - ten of us enjoyed a rather quiet, overcast day yesterday. We had
hopes of refinding the Least and Baird's Sandpipers that had been found on
Wednesday, but we had only one flying unidentified shorebird that was
certainly "of interest" but that's all we could say. Despite that
disappointment, the morning was pleasant.

Highlights:

Osprey 2 young close to fledging
Sharp-shinned Hawk First in months, over Snag Row
Green Heron A couple of nice looks
Spotted Sandpiper Flock of 6 on lily pads at lake
Vaux's Swift Numbers much higher (20+) than usual
Warbling Vireo Adult feeding young south of Dog Central
Red-eyed Vireo Still 2 singing in Cottonwood Forest
Bl.-throated Gray Warbler 2 seen south of Dog Central
Western Tanager First of Fall, 1 male

Now a few comments about 2007 versus previous years:

Gadwall sightings at Marymoor used to be very common, but 2007 continues a
recent trend of Gadwall eschewing the park. Plenty of them elsewhere, but
not at Marymoor.

Pied-billed Grebe have at least attempted nesting at Marymoor every summer
from 1994-2006. They have been completely absent from Marymoor this summer,
our last sighthing being from late April.

Red-winged Blackbirds have taken a leave. For the 2nd Thursday in a row,
we've failed to find a single one (though Matt had some a week ago). My
long-term data does show, however, a brief period of time in late August
where sightings drop off regularly. Why? Where do Red-winged Blackbirds go
in August? They are rock-steady the rest of the year (albeit with a chance
that there's a statistically significant dip at Halloween as well).

Conversely, it is very clear that Anna's Hummingbirds have become completely
established at Marymoor. Our first sighting was in November of 2003. We've
seen them almost every week this year, often multiple birds, with pretty
clear evidence of breeding. The only time they seem to be absent from
Marymoor now is during the absolute coldest months when the untended
hummingbird feeders freeze up. (Marymoor, down in the valley, is often
colder than the surrounding hillsides. On many winter mornings, the only
place we see frost is at Marymoor)

Anyway, for the day, 57 species.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland, WA
== http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== birdmarymoor at verizon.net