Eightbirders were on this Eastside Audubon field trip on Saturday. The weather was partly cloudy, very windy most of the day, with temperatures from 32 to 56 degrees F. The highlight of the 49 species were four female RED CROSSBILL, a life bird for some, at Theler. We got on the 0735 ferry from Fauntleroy to Southworth with a stop at Vashon Island. While docked at Vashon we saw a large number of BUFFLEHEAD, a few HORNED GREBE, many DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT, and two BRANDT'S CORMORANT with their blue throat patch visible, two BALD EAGLE were soaring in the wind. Our first stop at the Harper area we found many BARROW and a couple of COMMON GOLDENEYES. The marshy area had RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD, HOUSE FINCH, SPOTTED TOWHEE. At our stop at the south end of Yukon Harbor there were over 100 BRANT feeding in the tide flats as well as 20-30 BONAPARTE'S GULL. There also were MEW, GLAUCOUS-WINGED, CALIFORNIA and WESTERN GULL. At the Manchester boat launch area we saw HOUSE SPARROW, one COMMON LOON, more Brant and Bonaparte's Gulls, SURF SCOTER, RED-NECKED GREBE, and a flock of 30+ EUROPEAN STARLING. The small lake just north of Manchester yielded good views of six GREATER SCAUP. At Manchester State Park we saw a few PELAGIC CORMORANT in the bay, a Bald Eagle soaring overhead and PINE SISKIN. The wind was really blowing down Sinclair Inlet as we drove the shoreline. But we did find two HARLEQUIN DUCK which are seen here every winter. PELAGIC CORMORANT were flying up and down the inlet. On the land side of the road we heard/saw STELLER'S JAY.



We continued on to the Theler's Wetlands where we enjoyed our lunch, then visited the learning center at the start of the main trail. Usually at this time of year the sky would be full of swallows flying and at the nest boxes. But, they were scarce this time. We eventually saw a few VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW and saw one BARN SWALLOW. A turkey vulture soared overhead, managing to stay almost stationary in the strong wind. This is where we saw the four female Red Crossbills feeding in a tree right beside the trail. Our only SAVANNAH SPARROW was in the same area. A number of CANADA GEESE were nesting in the tall grass fields. At the mud flats at the Union River mouth, there were many GREEN-WINGED TEAL, NORTHERN PINTAIL, MALLARD. Red-tailed Hawk were soaring overhead. SONG SPARROW were common and we saw a few GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW feeding beside the trail in the same area we see them every spring. Two KILLDEER seen further upriver were, surprisingly, the only shorebirds seen on the trip. BEWICK'S and MARSH WREN were also heard and seen. Other species we most always see were missing this year - Great Blue heron, Greater Yellowlegs, Belted Kingfisher and Rufous Hummingbirds. We always stop at the Purdy Causeway on the way back to check on the nesting Osprey, but they also were not present this year. Despite the wind, we did have an enjoyable birding experience.



Hugh Jennings

Bellevue, WA

h2ouzel AT comcast.net