Hello All,
Rainier Audubon's Kent-Auburn CBC was held yesterday (December 27, 2009) in gloriously sunny, cold, calm weather. Waterfowl numbers were somewhat low, likely due to lack of open water in the valley. Wigeon numbers were particularly low. Many birders enjoyed the day and had some good birds to show for it. The tentative species total at the tally dinner was 115. Highlights:

Greater White-fronted Goose - 1 near Maple Valley.
Red-shouldered Hawk - 1 adult, presumably the same bird found in August 2006 and seen sporadically ever since, at Kent Ponds. 2nd count record.
Black-bellied Plover - 1 flying over Boeing Ponds. 2nd count record.
Sora - 1 heard at Clay Street Marsh. 3rd count record.
Eurasian Collared-Dove - count week in Pacific. 1st count record.
White-throated Sparrow - 1 along Frager Road 1/3 mile south of Ol' Fishing Hole.
Savannah Sparrow - over 50 near Smith Brothers. All-time high count.

Count week species include Pelagic Cormorant, Least Sandpiper, Western Gull, American Pipit (200+), Townsend's Warbler (first time missed on count day since '90), and a reported Rufous Hummingbird. Among the unusual misses were Orange-crowned Warbler, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Black Scoter, and Thayer's & Herring Gulls.

Thanks to everyone who helped!

Charlie Wright
Bonney Lake, Washington