Hi Tweets -
Like Kathy, I had luck today finding the RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at the
Kent Ponds. I stopped by at the Grassy Knoll [off 64th, south of
212th in Kent] -- after waiting a bit, the RSHA appeared, being
chased by a bunch of crows. It perched on one of the trees along
64th, between the knoll and the Animal Shelter.
This is a very flighty bird - I've tried for it several times since
it was first reported -- more than once I've seen a likely bird
perched right in this same area [which is also where Charlie Wright &
others have had it], only to have the bird disappear as soon as it
noticed me looking. Yesterday, I stopped by and had this happen -- I
waited 1 1/2 hrs and it never returned. Today luck was on my side.

A word of caution to anyone looking for this bird -- there is at
least one immature Red-tailed in the area that can definitely fool
you -- striped long tail, mottled look.

I watched it from about 2:30 to 3:00, when it flew off into the trees
behind the Animal Shelter.

Next, I headed over to Renton and the mouth of the Cedar River to
watch the gulls come in. There were a good number of gulls, but we
had no luck finding the Slaty-backed. We did get good looks at the
2nd winter GLAUCOUS GULL that has been seen regularly there. The
Glaucous-Herring hybrid was present as well. We also had several
fly-bys of a Peregrine, probably attracted by the Dunlin mixed in
among the gulls.

Good birding,

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA
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