Hi Tweeters,

Last Friday I went to Medina Park to check on the
Great Blue Heron colony there. Most of the young
herons that were raised on the fir tree are near
fledging and are all over the tree. It was a great
sight especially after reading all the sad news about
eagle predation on other heron colonys. These herons
were pressured by eagles on at least two occasions I
witnessed at Medina but the eagles were immature and I
think that made a big difference. The cottonwood
youngsters aren't too far behind. I don't have my
notes but there are at least a dozen+ young herons
here.

Ducks here have been a bit interesting too. Last
Friday a Wood Duck female and two ducklings. She was
not a very attentive mother so not sure what the fate
of the ducklings will be. The Friday before on the
8th a Northern Pintail flew in just before I left. I
wonder if he is the same one I saw earlier this year
that seemed to be trying to make friends with any
other female duck no matter the species. That could
end up with some interesting looking ducklings.

Yesterday I participated in the Kent Ponds Census
fields section. I was hoping Charlie Wright would
post, he has the numbers. We saw something like 150
Black Swifts, more than I have ever seen before plus
some. They were definitely on a southward flight
pattern. Lazuli Buntings were in the double digits
and all over the open field area too. We saw at least
3 Green-winged Teal from the grassy knoll which seems
to indicate breeding. They have bred here in the
past. Breeding Savannah Sparrows and Common
Yellowthroats were abundant.

Directions to Medina Park, use this, park is across
the street:
http://www.stthomasmedina.org/

Directions and info on Kent Ponds also known as Green
River Natural Resources Area:
http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/publicworks/specialprograms/
grnra.asp

Kathy
Roosting in S. King County




____________________________________________________________________________________
Need a vacation? Get great deals
to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel.
http://travel.yahoo.com/