Yesterday (7 June 2007) I birded the Stillwater/Carnation area with Janeanne Houston. On our arrival at the Stillwater Unit at about 7:30AM, the 2nd yr male AMERICAN REDSTART was singing and flitting about the trees along the trail, just south of the 2nd bridge south of the main parking area. We also heard the YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT singing in the field to the west. We did not see the chat. Other birds in the area included RED-EYED VIREO, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, and RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.

We then visited McDonald Park in Carnation, where within 5 minutes we observed 6 species of swallow (tree, violet-green, northern rough-winged, bank, barn and cliff) from the bridge over the Snoqualmie River.

In the early afternoon, we returned to the Stillwater location where we observed an EASTERN KINGBIRD along the trail not far north of the main parking area. A BULLOCK'S ORIOLE sang nearby. In the field to the west, we enjoyed a pair of LAZULI BUNTINGS. The female was carrying nesting material. About 20 BLACK SWIFTS flew overhead.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net