I decided to try the Gog-le-hi-te wetland in Tacoma today since my Pierce
County List isn't doing too well, especially on shorebirds. I arrived
around 6pm, in between tides, but still fairly high at 8 feet. There was
very little of interest in the first pond, only about 20 GLAUCOUS-WINGED
GULLS sharing the mud with 20 AMERICAN CROWS. However, after a few minutes
a flock of 30 or so RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS flew into the cattails followed by
a couple more flocks over the next several mintues. The pond got pretty
loud after that.

I walked on toward the second pond and noticed a lot of sparrow activity in
the grass field in between ponds. They were small shy sparrows and it took
me a while to get one in the binoculars. As far as I could tell, most of
them were LINCOLN'S SPARROWS which was a first for me. There were also a
few SONG SPARROWS mixed in.

The second pond had a lot of diversity. Again, there was at least 20
glaucous-winged gulls with probably a few Western and California mixed in.
There were also a lot of ducks. At least a dozen MALLARDS, a pair of CANADA
GEESE, the usual 8 GREEN-WINGED TEAL and a NORTHERN SHOVELER. And luckily
for me there were still a few shorebirds, four WESTERN SANDPIPERS and one
PECTORAL SANDPIPER.

On the way back, I stopped again at the main pond to watch the red-winged
blackbirds. They had moved into the willow trees in order to make more
noise. But I noticed a smaller bird as well which turned out to be the
female WESTERN TANAGER which I had seen on my last visit a week ago.

Overall, I managed to add the Northern Shovelers and Pectoral Sandpiper to
my Pierce County List and got the Lincoln's as a lifer. I got photos of all
but the Lincoln's Sparrow. A good trip.

Randy Bjorklund
Federal Way