Hi Tweeters,

On a morning trip to the Montlake Fill this morning, the most notable thing was unfortunately getting back to my car to find my passenger window smashed in. Mine was the first car in the main lot, east of the main cluster of Center for Urban Horticulture buildings, at 7:15 this morning, and I made the mistake of leaving my backpack out in plain view in the passenger seat. Fortunately, there was nothing of value in the backpack, which was the only thing taken - I had everything of significant value with me, so this is just a minor inconvenience. The police officer told me this was the first time this had happened at the CUH for several years, and I routinely park in this lot leaving my backpack in view (never again!). Nevertheless, it's a good reminder to be careful, and definitely not to leave anything of value or in view in your car at this location.

The consolation was a few nice bird sightings this morning.

The best bird was a Yellowlegs foraging on the south end of the main pond. I had a short close range study, but did not have all of the distinguishing marks firmly in mind. I'm calling it a Lesser Yellowlegs based on its long primary projection, short bill, small size, and the soft 2-noted call it gave as it flew away to the NE end of the pond, but it would be great to know if someone sees this bird and thinks differently - I don't have too much field experience with Lessers, so all of these proportions are not the easiest to judge.

Other nice sightings were at least 2 singing Willow Flycatchers on the north end of the pond and 2 Virginia Rails actually in view. One was just south of the main pond at the lake's edge, and the other was over in the marsh SW of the Fill proper, accessed by walking out of the Fill, past the shellhouse to paved Walla Walla Rd behind the stadiums, where halfway down on the left the guardrail opens up to a path leading out to this marshy area. I was hoping for Sora or American Bittern, which I did not see or hear, but first hearing the Rail give alarm calls and then seeing it forage out in the open, even swimming briefly, was a nice treat.

A final notable sighting was a large group of Brown-headed Cowbirds - one obviously very popular lady was surrounded and followed by 8 male suitors!

Good birding,
Evan Houston
Seattle, WA