Tweets - Fifteen of us arrived "too early" this morning, which allowed us to
see Great Horned Owls northeast of the mansion and a stunning sunrise to the
east before we began the regular loop. It remained stubbornly overcast,
with less than an hour of weak sunshine between about 10-11. Thankfully it
was windless, or the cold temps would have been unpleasant. It was only
moderately birdy, but spring is progressing on schedule.

Highlights:

Anna's Hummingbird Male from boardwalk, 2 near windmill
Rufous Hummingbird One cooperative male
Hairy Woodpecker Base of large cottonwood again
Northern Shrike Stayed in East Meadow today
Tree Swallow Visiting nest boxes in Pea Patch
Violet-green Swallow Good numbers, best seen in sun
Varied Thrush One heard near windmill
Yellow-rumped Warbler Quite a few after 11:00
Fox Sparrow Singing
Golden-crowned Sparrow Singing
Pine Siskin Good looks after 11:00

The Indian Plum (Oso Berry) is still blooming, as are non-native cherries
and plums. More willow species are in bloom than last week. Another new
bloom - Tall Oregon Grape.

I was pretty certain we would not have any Salmonberry blossoms yet; most of
them didn't even have large buds. But well past the east end of the
boardwalk I found one bush with about 7 almost-ready buds, and another with
a single, completely open flower. I pointed this out. About 90 seconds
later, Ryan spotted our first RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD of the year, "proving" that
the arrival of Rufous follows closely on the opening of the first
Salmonberry blossoms.

The whole morning we had a constant chorus of AMERICAN ROBINS and
RUBY-CROWNED KINGLETS. SPOTTED TOWHEES were also making a good go of it.

There was a YELLOW HOUSE FINCH near the Pea Patch; I don't remember seeing
one quite so yellow ever before.

The RED-TAILED HAWK pair that nests west of the Rowing Club were doing an
aerial dance, one with its feet down. Nice to see.

For the day, 60 species. For the year, 2 new ones - RUFOUS HUMMER and
VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW.

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

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so
certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts" - Bertrand
Russell