Tweeters:

Anne Winskie and I were back at Graysmarsh for the annual spring survey and the birding was quite productive. We found 119 species, four less than last year's record, but tying for 2nd highest, four more were "count week" being seen Saturday but not Sunday. Highlights included 26 Empids of 3 species, the highlight being not one, but two (!) DUSKY FLYCATCHERS, both vocal birds, the first giving the mournful two-note, high-pitched "dee-hic" a couple times, the second giving the soft "whit" note repeatedly. This was the 6th occurrence at Grays, with previous records spanning May 13-24 and Sept 1-16. This was the only time I have seen more than one at a single site in wWA. Also of note--long overdue to make the site list--were three TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRES that put on quite a show along the planted-pine row at Einarsen Meadow, flycatching from there over field and forest edge. Anne managed some photos, hope they turn out.

Other songbird migrants including first-of-season singles of BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK and OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. Other songbirds included 5 WARBLING VIREOS and 7 warbler species, with decent counts of MacGILLIVRAY'S (3) and ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS (67). Also prominent for being on the move were RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER (4, and one sapsucker, sp).

For non-passerines, the best bird was surely a breeding-plumaged SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER that joined LEASTS at the public beach access early. RED-BREASTED MERGANSERS were uncommonly numerous, with over 200 present, and in the late-to slightly late-category were single TRUMPETER SWAN, COM. GOLDENEYE and 3 LONG-TAILED DUCKS.

On Saturday, staking out the area late in the day, there were two additional notable finds, both on a ploughed field near the main entrance: a perfect 1st-winter GLAUCOUS-WINGED x GLAUCOUS GULL, and a HORNED LARK. Both were nowhere to be found on survey day, but a male N. HARRIER was on a nest very nearly right in the middle of the same field! The gull looked great for Glaucous at first look with overall white plumage and (mostly) translucent primaries, but did not have the two-tone bill and had a bit of indistinct medium brown on the belly.

Other nature notes: RED-LEGGED FROG (Rana aurora) was quite abundant this year, and two dead SHREW-MOLES were found, along with a PACIFIC MOLE that fell to a ploughing tractor; a probable TROWBRIDGE SHREW was seen while out owling. A number of vascular plants new for the site list were observed, among them WILD GINGER (Asarum caudatum), CHOCOLATE LILY (Fritillaria lanceolata), ROBERT GERANIUM (Geranium robertianum), and MOCK-ORANGE (Philadelphus lewisii), and a SEDGE (Carex, sp. to be determined). In all, it was a great day to be out.

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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