Tweets,

I did a bit of scouting for a field trip that I am leading on Sunday, October 21st. I only birded for about two hours but had some promising finds. See below for information on the field trip. Hope to meet some new people there!

Mouth of the Cedar river-2:30 to 3:15pm

200+ COOTS
20+/- GADWALL
1 PIED-BILLED GREBE
7 CANVASBACKS (4 MALES/3 FEMALES)
1 DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANT
10 RUDDY DUCKS (MALE AND FEMALE)
6 HORNED GREBES
1 HERRING GULL (BATHING ON THE SANDBAR)
13 MEW GULLS
1 RING-BILLED GULL (1 AT SANDBAR)
1 WESTERN GULL (AT SANDBAR. SAW A POSSIBLE SECOND JUST PAST THE KAYAK SHOP, THOUGH THIS COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN THE SAME BIRD AS THE KAYAKERS STIRRED THE BIRDS PADDLING THROUGH)
THE USUAL GW-GULLS, AND VARIOUS OTHERS THAT I AM UNABLE TO SORT THROUGH DUE TO HYBRIDS/IMMATURE.
3 COMMON MERGANSERS

Coulon beach and "duck island" 3:40 to 4:00pm

15+ HORNED GREBES (THESE LITTLE CUTIES WERE EVERYWHERE!)
200+ COOTS (ADDITIONAL TO THE OTHERS)
1 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD (HEARD)
5 WESTERN GREBES (Very close to shore near the new apartments.Views as close as 15 feet!)
MALLARD'S OF COURSE

Liberty Park 4:15 to 4:30pm

1 COOPERS HAWK CHASING PIGEONS THROUGH AND ABOVE THE LIBRARY PARKING LOT
2 SOARING RED-TAILED HAWKS JUST EAST OF THE PARK ABOVE 405

I went looking/listening for what appear to be resident SCRUB JAYS but could not locate them today. I can see them at any time there during the year on and off. On a final note, I have had 2 GREAT-HORNED OWLS calling between 10:30 and midnight the last couple of weeks. Below is the field trip info.

Renton Parks & The Cedar River
Sunday, October 21
8:30 AM to Mid-Afternoon
Leader: Amy Schillinger
The beaches near Coulon Park in Renton, and the habitats at Cavanaugh Ponds upriver on the Cedar River should provide good birdwatching during fall when the salmon are spawning. Expect to see lots of waterfowl, herons, and forest birds. Bring your cameras for views of Lake Washington and fall colors. We will walk up to 1 mile on paths at the ponds.
Bring: Good walking shoes or boots, warm clothes, lunch and drinks. Scopes are welcome.
Meet: 8:30 AM at Coulon Park near Ivar's and Kidd Valley Restaurants.
Directions: Coulon Park is in Renton, at the south end of Lake Washington. Travel north on I-405 to exit 5. Turn down the hill two blocks, and right (north) at the bottom of the hill onto Lake Washington Blvd. Travel two blocks, and turn left into Coulon Park. Turn right, and drive about three blocks north inside the park. The Ivar's and Kidd Valley parking lot will be on the left.
Sign-Up: Call or email Amy Schillinger, (425) 443-6931, amyschilling at comcast.net.
Email is preferred.



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