The heat quickly increased this morning (8-14-10) around the
Edmonds Bowl as we did our bird walk and two of us were dragging as
we started up to the Point Edwards public path. I rarely carry a
scope up there but for some reason did today. Another birder named
David came up behind us to point out a PEREGRINE FALCON in a Douglas
Fir in Woodway, just above the condo complex. It was a life bird for
him so I was pleased to be able to offer him closer views through the
scope than he could get with his compact binoculars. He had watched
the falcon in a snag at the Marsh, feeding on what we presumed was a
Rock Pigeon. By the time it was perched in the Douglas fir, the
falcon's crop was extended and ballooned out in what looked to be a
most uncomfortable way. It will probably remain in that tree for a
while to digest its meal.

At the Marsh we had about 9 LEAST and 2 WESTERN SANDPIPERS. There
were 6-7 GREAT BLUE HERONS, 1 BELTED KINGFISHER, 2 ANNA'S
HUMMINGBIRDS, 2 CANADA GEESE, several KILLDEER and a number of BARN
SWALLOWS and HOUSE FINCHES. There were no Violet-Green Swallows seen
this morning.

At the Public Pier we had three alcids: 3 PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, 1
RHINOCEROS AUKLET, and 1 MARBLED MURRELET. A large flock of
HEERMANN'S GULLS was feeding on the water and others were at rest at
the south end of the marina breakwater. We did not see any Purple
Martins this morning.

There was a COOPER'S HAWK at the Willow Creek Hatchery. I was there
last night (8-13-10) when it was full of ROBINS and 1 BROWN CREEPER.
Other birds seen this morning along the Point Edwards public path,
besides the Peregrine Falcon, were STELLER'S JAY, NORTHERN FLICKER,
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, MALLARDS, CANADA GEESE, BARN SWALLOWS, CEDAR
WAXWINGS, GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS, CROWS and STARLINGS. Between the
Cooper's Hawk and the Peregrine, bird activity almost came to a stop.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds