I've been at the Fill on Thu, Fri and Sat. Today was the worst day.

On Apr 23, 2011, at 3:27 PM, Connie Sidles wrote:

> Greater White-fronted Geese (at last! 2 on Lagoon this morning)

And by Mud Island at the opening to Conibear Shellhouse this afternoon.

Also at Conibear Shellhouse a diluted (pale back and upper wing surfaces) and partially bilateraly leucistic male Canada Goose (extra white on forehead and crown but still has a dark line over the eye, prominent V-neck white stripe down the front of the neck and a generally mottled neck) failing miserably to attract the female geese. Odd photo target for the honking big lens folks?

> Caspian Tern (over lake)

I don't think it hung around for long. :-)

> Osprey (paying regular morning visits)

and afternoon visits on both Fri and Sat with flyovers and "body shakes" after fishing. Not seen it perch yet.

> Cinnamon Teal pairs (SW Pond, Yesler Swamp, Kern's Restoration Pond)

And sometimes one of these pair out on the lake flashing their blue forewings.

> Brown-headed Cowbird (sigh)

One seen with the relocated BREWER'S BLACKBIRDS, who are very interesting to watch for mating behavior especially around the Western UBNA sign.

The BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD seemed to be loitering with intent waiting for a fellow icterid to show them to a nest.

Another BROWN-HEADED COWBIRD on a power pole by CUH doing the "throw up" gesture ("bowing") with song (the gesture is priceless ... I can't say I've watched them sing before) which implies it knew about another close male (see BNA entry). A couple of males and a female following potential hosts around might not be so good for the local breeders.

I'd also add on both Fri and Sat I had four SWALLOW species days (BARN, TREE, VIOLET-GREEN and NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED) with the swallows in flight over the Blue Forests and Central Pond. Not so easy but fun.

At least two or three BARN SWALLOWS are investigating the launch house by Connibear for nesting on Sat. Not seen them do this on Thu or Fri.

COMMON TEAL was on Shoveller's Pond again on Fri and Sat.

WESTERN SCRUB JAYS hanging around (as Connie noted) by wedding rock (and in the alder forest too). Are they nesting yet? Worth watching to see if they do as it look like they're staying.
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Kevin Purcell (Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA)
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