Steve Gerstle and I birded down the Snoqualmie Valley today from Fall City north to Crescent Lake (Two Rivers) Wildlife Area and found 68 species, with most of the usual summer residents back in place in small to normal numbers and just about all winter-only residents absent. A few highlights:

Pileated Woodpecker - way high up and possibly nesting in a tall, exposed snag in the vicinity of the (unoccupied) Osprey platform at the north end of Carnation Marsh

Willow Flycatcher - one at Carnation Marsh

Western Kingbird - one along West Snoqualmie River Road across the river from Duvall, at power-pole transformer where this species has nested before

Bank Swallow - at least 80 birds in flight at once, foraging above the river close to colony discovered by Gene Hunn in 2006 at Stillwater Wildlife Area. This colony appears to be growing. For those who have not been there and want directions, see A Birder's Guide to Washington (American Birding Association 2003), page 173. But instead of turning off on the path mentioned in the last sentence on that page, continue straight ahead a short distance. This area has been cleared since the description in the book was written, and is kept mowed. You can walk right to the top of the sand bank overlooking the river. The Bank Swallow colony is to your right.

Swainson's Thrush - now back in good numbers but not singing much yet

Lazuli Bunting - several seen and/or heard along the first two miles of the road that runs north down the valley along the west side of the river toward Tall Chief Golf Course (starts off from SR-202 west of Fall City as 324th Avenue NE but changes name several times as it jogs left and right: see map and description in ABA guide, page 172).

Not back yet (at least we didn't find any): Red-eyed Vireo and Bullock's Oriole

Good birding!

Hal Opperman
Medina, WA
hal at catharus.net