Today I did my favorite local bird trip by bus, from Seattle to Discovery Park. I used a route 24 bus from downtown. The route 33 bus works was another choice but the 24 came first. #33 actually ends in the park itself!
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I got off the #24 near "Flora and Fauna Books" as it it is a hop and a skip to the park. From here I walked to the historic district of old Fort Lawton and then down to West Point. I didn't see or hear any Pacific-slope Flycatchers as opposed to a month ago when there were so many. I found more Towsend's Chipmunks out and about than I usually see.
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At West Point there was a huge flock of Barn Swallows, I counted more than 30 swarming around the Lighthouse. I found only one Rhinoceros Auklet. I walked north along the beach. I found a Spotted Sandpiper on top of a large rock, bobbing up and down. Around a barge anchored off of the North Trail I found more Rhinoceros Auklets.
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After Discovery Park I walked down to the Ballard Locks to watch the Chinook Salmon coming through the fish ladder. I left Ballard on the route #44 bus and headed to the U-District, though I didn't go to the Montlake Fill...I could have if I wanted.
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Mark Vernon
Renton, WA
mailto ma_vern at yahoo.com

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