My second trip here to the dike along Ebey Slough ( access near dead end of Fobes Rd, Snohomish). Even though it was nearing hot and mid afternoon there were many birds. This is a great spot, with vast freshwater marshes off to one side , and the big flow of the Snohomish River down Ebey Slough on the other. Across the river , the wilds of the largest patch of Sitka Spruce swamp remaining in the Delta were beckoning.( this is a 450 acre forest of old second-growth - 100+ years old- owned by Washington Dept. of Wildlife.)

As Greg Toffic posted the other day, this is a good spot for Eastern Kingbirds! I saw at least 4, probably more. I looked for the Great Egret, but no-see-um. Dozens of Herons out on the marsh, and many Ducks, especially Mallards, with many ducklings about, and Canada Geese, with young in varying stages of growth. Also a few Gadwalls, quite a few Cinnamon Teal, a few Common Mergansers, and a pair of Wood Ducks.

To watch working Ospreys, this is the place. Fishing the shallow freshwater ponds, they were coming up with plenty of fish - sunfish (introduced Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Bluegills or somesuch) were a popular item. Out on one shallow pond, two immature Bald Eagles were sitting in shallow water up to their bellies - cooling off I suppose, and looking like giant sinister waterfowl. They were out there for the whole hour or so I was there.

Many birds singing - Yellowthroats and Yellow Warblers, Purple Finch, Goldfinch, Song Sparrow, Swainsons Thrush, Willow Flycatcher, WW Pewee, and more. Virginia Rails calling out on the marsh, along with Killdeers and a few Spotted Sandpipers. A lot of exposed mud on the shores of these shallow ponds but did,nt see any other shorebirds.

The heat really brought out the Dragonflies - many Darners, Common Green and some other darn Darner ( I 'ode' with binocs ). Hundreds of mating Pacific Forktails, a pretty little Damselfly.

In the Strange Stuff Department - while looking out across the largest freshwater pond a large creature porpoised into view: a Harbor Seal out there ! While I've seen Harbor Seals upriver to Snohomish, it was surprising to see one out in this freshwater marsh. Near as I could tell the only way in there from the river is through a 24 to 30" culvert through the dike, but the river was running high enough for maybe this goofy seal to get through.

Jeff Gibson, Everett Wa