A brief stop at Fields Riffle Park (undeveloped snohomish co. park on the snohomish river just downstream from the town of Snohomish revealed a few interesting things today

In the Cottonwood and Willow woods came across a group of noisy BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES - not unusual, but a closer scan of the 'flock' revealed a BROWN CREEPER and a single bright male BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER , a bit out of typical habitat - this stretch of river having almost no conifers. A number of YELLOW-RUMPED WARBLERS and a single RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET were also in with the chickadees.

Walking back out to the road thru the farm fields saw about 50 AMERICAN PIPITS, 6 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS, and a few SAVANNAH SPARROWS. A single MOURNING DOVE flew over.

In the Bug Department saw a few Wooly Bear caterpillars ,and only two of the big Carolina Grasshoppers that were so numerous just two weeks ago. They were still flying , but barely able to - it was too cold. Maybe they'll have their last flying thrills this weekend if the temps get back up to 60. This park has a number of sandy areas which are really great for bugs when its warmer - in one tiny patch of sand I quickly lost count of how many types of bees and wasps were cavorting about back in warmer september.


Jeff Gibson , Everett WA