Hello Tweets,

Today we birded in King Co. in search of both the Rusty Blackbirds north of Carnation and the Red-shouldered Hawk at the Green River Natural Recourse Area(aka the Kent Ponds)with success in both species. The weather was glorious all day after some morning fog at just a few locations. We began along S.R.302 just north of Carnation,where we easily located all 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS as posted by Marv Breece and other birders recently. We arrived in the parking lot at 11:30am at the farm along S.R. 203 just south of Carnation Farm Rd.,where we were joined by a Seattle birder and for a very short time we viewed the 3 RUSTY BLACKBIRDS(2 males and 1 female bird)foraging on the ground underneath a silo on spilt grain at the north end of the parking lot. All 3 Rusty Blackbird intermixed with just a small flock of Red-winged Blackbirds,Brewer's Blackbirds,Starlings and a very few Brown-headed Cowbirds. It was a neat mix of bird and the Rusty Blackbirds could always be separated from the other birds by differences in plumages than that of Brewer's Blackbirds. It was only for a short while before other birders and increased activity on the farm that we viewed all 3 birds so it was a real treat along with having great lighting! After watching all 3 birds on the ground they joined a larger flock of blackbirds and all flew off in separate directions nearby.

By 12pm other birders began showing up,as they parked along the busy road with a few birders parking further north onto Carnation Farm Rd. then walking down to the farm. Eventually,at least 2 of the Rusty Blackbirds offered great scoping views for everyone for crowds up to about 25 birders up until we left at 12:45pm. The female Rusty Blackbird offered the best views and overall was the most cooperative while the male was only seen sporadically after 12pm. Both birds were present on the large metal rooftop at the north end of the farm complex intermixed with other blackbirds,but on one occasion the female was observed on the ground near the farm corral and feedlot. Between both the male and female Rusty Blackbird the female bird stood out the most by showing uniform bright buffy upperparts with darker areas on the back and a grayish tail along with a noticeable pale supercillium. Both males were much darker overall with pale brown splotches on the head and upperparts with darker areas on the remaining portion of the body. Both male and female also showed a whiter iris than that of several nearby Brewer's Blackbirds,but this could have been due to the lighting.

Overall the blackbirds flocks at the farm were somewhat spooky at times,but did settle down at times too offering the best views atop the farm rooftops. The blackbird flocks would also occasionally fly around on both sides of S.R.203 to trees,but they would always return to the farm. 2 Sheriff cars drove by as we all stood at safe distances off the road,but there was never a problem with the blocking of traffic,etc. and a few bystanders were even interested in to what all us birders were looking at. During our visit watching the Rusty Blackbirds 8 Trumpeter Swans and a single Tundra Swan flew back and forth over the area,but otherwise our efforts were trained into watching the blackbird flocks. It was great to help birders spot the Rusty Blackbirds,as well as overall conversation and we feel everyone left happy in seeing at least 2 Rusty Blackbirds.

We would also like to add that a very informing article was written in latest issue of ABA Birding(Volume 39 #1)on page 35 about the overall decline in Rusty Blackbirds for those of you that may be interested. The article states that the Rusty Blackbird is one of the most severely declining avian species in North America. With the decline in this species it was spectacular to see 3 birds at one location so we should all be fortunate!

At 12:45pm we left and drove straight to the Kent Ponds,where we immediately located the immature RED-SHOULDERED HAWK at 2pm. The bird was easily detected along 64th Ave. S.,as it perched along a brushy remnants of a trail inside the fenced area just immediately south of the Kent Animal Shelter. This location was clearly visible along 64th Ave. S.,where 7 birders(including 4 birders from British Columbia),watched the bird in trees,as well as actively hunting from several perches along the trail. The bird on one occasion was also observed on the ground of the trail,but quickly flew up to overhanging branches. The bird also flew to an hidden spot on the south side of the trail and for a short while was hidden for our view. All of us during this time walked south to the "grassy knoll" and then after a short while walked back to the original location. The bird was then relocated in the same location,then again from the original location along the brushy trail,as viewed from outside the fenced area. We watched the bird until 3:30pm,where we left it at the same location,which was visible along the sidewalk outside the fenced area south of the animal shelter. Essentially,if you were inside the fenced area of the animal shelter you would not be able to the see the bird and the bird did stay in a fairly limited area,where other observers have most likely been seeing this nice bird. The bird was most active,as it perched from branches and almost always looking down to the ground,but it wagged and twitched it's tail regularly,as well as preened too. The bird most often perched facing away from us,but it did show us it's barred breast on one occasion early on. During to the lighting and the distance no photos of the bird were obtained this afternoon and it was just a pleasure seeing it!

Other birds noted from this location included 2 Northern Shrikes and a female ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD that flew in and buzzed around the fence while we watched the Red-shouldered Hawk near the animal shelter. The Anna's Hummingbird eventually flew off to the east over 64th Ave. S. A small assortment of waterfowl were also noted from the "grassy knoll" including 7-8 Ruddy Ducks.

It was a nice,pleasant and rewarding day in King Co.!


Good birding,

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