Subject: [Tweeters] SAS trip to Snoqualmie Valley - redstart, nighthawk
Date: May 30 18:37:52 2010
From: Evan Houston - evanghouston at yahoo.com


Hi Tweeters,

7 intrepid participants joined me on a Seattle Audubon trip to the Snoqualmie Valley (King Co.) this morning, and everyone's active participation contributed to a very nice day in the field, with a surprising group total of about 81 species. Thanks to everyone who has posted their sightings of a lot of the nice birds that remained cooperative today.

The top highlights were the continuing AMERICAN REDSTART (recently posted on Tweeters) and a surprise midday COMMON NIGHTHAWK at the main Stillwater parking lot (just NW of the gas station).

Highlights, in order visited, were:
-grassy seasonal pond at WA-203xNE 124th St (only room to stand on the shoulder of the road with lots of loud cars, but good spot) : SORA, VIRGINIA RAIL, BANK SWALLOW, CINNAMON TEAL

-West Snoqualmie River Rd: WESTERN KINGBIRD (Jeff Cohen spotted what looks to be their nest on the reported telephone pole), AMERICAN KESTREL, LAZULI BUNTING (fantastic looks at 2+ males about .5 miles N of the kingbird spot at grassy seasonal pond on left), NORTHERN HARRIER, WILSON'S SNIPE (giving a territorial call and perched up on a fencepost at the bunting spot - breeding here?)

-Stillwater North lot (across from Fay Rd): AMERICAN REDSTART in reported location, we had to wade thru 6+ inches of water, also at exactly the same spot as the redstart was a singing HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER and female WESTERN TANAGER + BULLOCK'S ORIOLE

-Stillwater South lot - Carol Schulz spotted our surprise bird of the day that gave reasonable views for all - a COMMON NIGHTHAWK, and also right at the lot great looks were had of RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKERS that were working a well and then flying over the pond to a nest site, an AMERICAN BITTERN was heard "pumping"

-Stoessel Creek area - likely breeding ORANGE-CROWNED, BLACK-THROATED GRAY, and WILSON'S WARBLERS (the MACGILLIVRAY'S WARBLERS I had yesterday did not cooperate this afternoon), a pond w/ young HOODED MERGANSERS

A main target we failed to see or hear anywhere was Red-eyed Vireo, I guess not all of them have come back yet this late spring.

Good birding,
Evan Houston
Seattle, WA