Today, Saturday April 11th, at about 3:30 pm, I had the first of the
year OSPREY at Lake Jeane, Twin Lakes, Federal Way. It was perched on
a tall lakeside fir tree on a branch normally used by Bald Eagles. A
dive bombing AMERICAN CROW drew my attention to it. I expected an
eagle and did see the white head, but the smaller size was immediately
evident, The local ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD buzzed the Osprey, just to let
it know that it was trespassing. When the Osprey finally took wing, it
kept flapping to gain height. It went higher and higher and the wind
drifted it towards the north, making me think that it was a migrant
passing through. Unexpectedly it went into a glide and started heading
back towards the southwest in the direction of Northshores, Tacoma. I
have suspected for the last 2-3 years, that there is a breeding pair
somewhere in the Northshores area. I have watched fish carrying
Ospreys time and again from Dumas Bay heading into that direction.

Seems spring is definitely here! We have a lot of pink and white
flowering trees in the neighborhood and I am seeing WHITE-CROWNED
SPARROWS back on territory. The SONG SPARROWS, BEWICK'S WRENS and
HOUSE FINCHES are singing up a storm and the DOWNY WOODPECKERS are
having a drumming contest. I even had a not so often seen PILEATED
WOODPECKER fly-by this evening. The waterfowl on both lakes is
definitely thinning out with few AMERICAN WIGEONS, BUFFLEHEADS,
GADWALLS, a single pair of GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a single male
COMMON MERGANSER remaining. There are still quite a few RING-NECKED
DUCKS, several LESSER SCAUP and about four AMERICAN COOTS on both
lakes. It won't be long and it will be only resident MALLARDS and
CANADA GEESE left!

Good Birding!

Hans Feddern

Twin Lakes, Federal Way, WA>