Tweets - Six of us enjoyed an overcast-but-otherwise-nice morning at
Marymoor today. There was snow on the ground, which may have contributed to
the initial uneasiness of the flocks of geese which arrived, but they
finally landed and found the snow thin enough that they could get to the
grass. It was birdy enough that we walked very slowly today, and while
there weren't a huge number of surprises, we got some very good looks at
quite a few birds.

Highlights:

Gr. Wh.-fronted Goose At least 2 with CACKLERS and CANADAS
American Wigeon 45+ Possibly our biggest flock ever at the park
EUR. WIGEON NEW BIRD FOR MARYMOOR - with AMWI
Scaup sp. (Greater?) First of the winter, 2 well out on lake -
Cooper's Hawk 1-2, including adult at Pea Patch close
MERLIN 1 atop a tree south of the mansion
Hairy Woodpecker Male and female, male excavating hole
Northern Shrike 1 seen early north of grass soccer fields
Varied Thrush 1 seen early at east entrance
Townsend's Warbler 1 northeast of mansion
Fox Sparrow Ubiquitous, and very visible
Purple Finch 6-8, including many males - WOW

Brian Bell split from us early at the Compost Piles as he had to get home
for an appointment, so he walked past the wigeon before us. He kindly
called back with news of the EURASIAN WIGEON, a lone drake, which we might
otherwise have missed, as the wigeons were mixed with GADWALL and hundreds
of CACKLING and CANADA GOOSE on the grass soccer fields just north of Snag
Row.

For the day, 55 species, with the year list now at 66.

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