Tweets - It was foggy and frosty this morning, but a dawn wind slowly
cleared the fog, and we had an amazing, sunny wintery day that was very
enjoyable. It was strange being there without Matt Bartels, but he's off to
Wyoming for Thanksgiving. Many of the other regulars were there, though - I
think we were eight people total.

The first highlight is that the juvenile swan continues at Marymoor.
Several "dog" people came up to ask or comment about the swan. And I must
relate that after last week's trip, I pondered the identity of the swan
further. I had to turn to swan experts Martha Jordan and Dennis Pauson who
kindly reminded me that Trumpeter Swan juveniles at this time of year are a
dark, battleship gray, whereas this bird, a TUNDRA SWAN, is nearly white.
So that's bird #201 for Marymoor. BTW - several of the dog people mentioned
that the swan has been seen most/all days since last Thursday. It will be
interesting to see if it sticks around.

It was a great day for seeing Anserinae species - besides the TUNDRA SWAN,
there were about 200 CANADA GOOSE, about 300 CACKLING GOOSE, at least 2
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and a juvenile SNOW GOOSE (the latter at the
northeast corner of the park).

Other highlights:

Wood Duck 3 drakes at the Rowing Club pond
Sharp-shinned Hawk Small adult at the Compost Piles

Besides the swan and geese, though, the biggest highlight were the regular
ordinary birds in beautiful winter sunlight with a winter blue sky behind
them and yellow leaves on the trees! Notables included some close views of
GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET at several locations; WILSON'S SNIPE at the Rowing
Club; DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS looking glossy and fine with their bright
orange bills; a particularly stunning DARK-EYED JUNCO at the Pea Patch; the
sootiest FOX SPARROW ever at the Compost Piles, singing; a flock of COMMON
GOLDENEYE flying past; and at least three LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Oh, and some
great looks at flocks of PINE SISKIN and BUSHTITS. Siskins are gorgeous in
flight when well-lit.

So it was a good day. A few misses left us at "just" 52 species. Snow
Goose was new for the year.

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






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