Tweeters,



This evening at Alki Point we "sighted" a small mixed flock of shorebirds
restlessly flying back and forth at near-high tide. They finally landed
nearby. Under the scope, we distinguished seven Semipalmated Sandpipers in
breeding plumage, along with one Dunlin in transitional plumage, and about
17 Sanderlings in various states of plumage up to nearly complete breeding
attire. Though over the years we've occasionally seen Westerns and Leasts,
these are the first Semipalmateds we've observed here. Their little light
reddish-brown caps and short bills really set them apart. Speaking of
shorebirds, about two weeks ago we saw a flock of about 100 DUNLIN.



While I'm at it, I should report that our very urban Northern Flicker male
has indeed found his "city girl." The pair are working the neighborhood
hard.



Other 'neat' sightings around the Point:



Friday a sharp-shinned hawk made a very low strafing run through the front
yard, also a yard first for us. Some sparrows had been hanging out there.



As others have reported around the area, OSPREY are back here, too, as are
Caspian Terns - coinciding nicely with the outmigration of juvenile salmon,
which accommodate their aerial predators by swimming close to the surface -
and accommodate us by traveling near shore, making for entertaining viewing.




This is also the time of year we most often see MARBLED MURRELETS. We are
seeing at least one pair daily right now. The RHINOCEROUS AUKLETS, by the
way, are in full, which is to say comical, breeding regalia. The Horned
GREBES are nearing completion of their molt to spectacular plumage.
Speaking of good looking, just about all the Harlequins seem matched up.
One male today, however, was ignoring the last single female and pursuing a
matched-up female, much to her partner's irritation.



Large numbers of Brant are still around. Saturday, we counted 475 from the
park just south of the Lighthouse down to Mee Kwa Mooks park, a distance of
perhaps a mile.



Also Saturday, we spotted a single flock of about 150 Surf Scoters just
south of the Lighthouse, the largest single group I've observed around here
in 17 years. There are more, however; that evening I spent more time and
went further south; I would estimate that between Alki Point and Lincoln
Park there were close to 250 Surf Scoters.



The first BARN SWALLOW showed up Saturday. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS are
singing. A RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD called the other day.



Good birding.



--g



Gary T. Smith

Alki Point