Hey tweets, yesterday at the Fill was very birdy. Hundreds of Yellow-
rumped Warblers were foraging everywhere. I looked at each and every
one of their vents to see if any could be a Palm Warbler, but no luck
yet.

(As an aside, answering questions about "What are you looking at?" by
saying, "Birds' bottoms" just clinches in people's mind the notion
that birders are weird weird weird. It's a notion that I think we
should all not just accept, but *embrace*! Yes, I look at birds'
bottoms, and I'm proud of it. Yes, I prefer a swamp or possibly a
mosquito-infested marsh to a green lawn that's as smooth as a billiard
ball and twice as dead. Yes, I get up before dawn and go to bed with
the chickens. For I am a birder.)

Also on view, a late juvenile female YELLOW WARBLER, and a COMMON
YELLOWTHROAT. The WESTERN GREBE that has been breakfasting at the
Lagoon was back at it again. I've seen this bird motoring its way from
the middle of Lake Washington all along the Cut, turning north to the
Lagoon, all the while thinking about the fish to come. That's a long
time for a bird to keep a thought in mind. Heck, that would be a long
time for me to keep a thought in mind.

The flock of 12 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE (five adults, seven young
ones) was grazing in the soccer field where the helipad is. They
formed themselves into a vee after eating and flew over to the south
side of Mud Island, where they disappeared into the haze of the day. I
saw the flock flying over the CUH building later.

Lincoln's Sparrows are back - my very favorite sparrow. Ruby-crowned
Kinglets have also returned, along with big flocks of Cedar Waxwings,
who seem to think the various berry trees are ready for harvest. It
was all very beautiful.

Speaking of which, I hope all of you who are able-bodied and energetic
might find the time to stop at Wahkiakum Lane this Saturday at 10 a.m.
The CUH is putting together a work-party to hack away at invasive
plants - blackberry, I think. They could sure use some help! Pull a
plant, save a planet. - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com