Today I observed 7 TURKEY VULTURES first circling and then moving down into the trees and then dropping down to something (I'm guessing big and dead mammal) on the ground. This was just across the Raging River from my home on Preston-Fall City Road near SE 68th - midway between Preston and Fall City. Last week neighbors reported seeing a Cougar drinking from the river in this same area - hopefully the cat has discovered the overly dense deer population and is taking advantage of the potential venison smorgasbord.

While watching the TV's I saw a NORTHERN GOSHAWK fly up the river and then turn to come directly overhead at only about 25 or 30 feet above the ground. The (constantly) singing Robins, Black Headed Grosbeaks and Swainson's Thrushes (I have at least 4 Swainson's nests on my lot) went dead silent for about 10 minutes after the big accip passed through. Magnificent bird that is always a treat to see.

I also had a singing male MACGILLVRAY'S WARBLER on the Preston-Snoqualmie trail about 1.6 miles down from Preston. Very vigorous singing but the likelihood of finding a lady warbler for him to settle down with is around zero (so late and such a bad location). There was a GRAY JAY a bit farther down the trail - very chatty bird that drew the attention of a family of RED BREASTED SAPSUCKERS (mom, dad and 5 yungins) who seemed to be pestering the poor lost jay. The lingering snow above 4500' seems to have our avian friends confused as to their proper location. Rob Conway Preston / Fall City, WAlatitude 47 32' 20" , longitude -121 54' 42" robin_birder at hotmail.com
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