Hi Tweeters,

There sure are several lingering species around.

The best of all my birding today was to watch a Merlin
fly around in the company of four crows. They were
just cirling around each other in a lazy way, maybe
testing each other. I have never seen a Merlin fly so
slowly and without obvious intent. It was rather
strange thing to see.

At Boeing Ponds there was two Horned Grebes. While I
was noticing a Flicker without a tail I caught sight
of two Vaux's Swifts. The first of many as it turned
out. Canada and Cackling Geese were in the fenced off
fields near the Boeing buildings. An American Kestrel
flew through. I also heard a lingering Common
Yellowthroat here.

Frager Rd N of 212th was where I saw the Merlin/Crow
interaction. I also saw a lot of Vaux's Swifts here,
up to 3 dozen. They were silent. Also saw a ratty
looking Mourning Dove and a Barn Owl. Sparrows were
elusive for me today, my only Golden-crowned Sparrow
was here.

At Riverview Marsh I saw a fair number of
Violet-greened Swallows, a dozen plus. Vaux's Swifts
were here too, still silent. Before I left I did see
a few Barn Swallows. Two Pied-billed Grebes were in
the Green River. One had a fish and it had to act
quick to eat it because the other Grebe was trying to
steal it. It was a long fish and the last look at the
Grebe the fishtail was protruding from its bill.

At Frager Road south of Meeker was a Green Heron
lurking in the cattails at the Fishing Hole. I could
not locate the Western Scrub Jays this trip but a
Peregrine Falcon flew through, making it a three
Falcon day.

In Auburn on S 285th off of W Valley Hwy the flooded
field there finaly yeilded my first Greater-white
Fronted Geese for the season. A lot of American
Pipits (~50+) were in the field here too, as well as
ton of waterfowl including more Cackling Geese.

My last stop was at Thomas Ponds where I got a better
look at a heavily streaked Red-tailed Hawk that I had
noticed earlier this week. It was banded! A juvenile
with pale eyes. The band was dark orange on the left
leg. The letters are probably FR. F on top. I can
bet money on the R but the F was tough to see in
entirety, and could be a T but the leg of the letter
seemed better oriented for an F. I wonder if this a
Sea-Tac young of the year?

Nice to be out on a warm day even if it rained.

Kathy
Roosting in S King County


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