Hi Tweets,

We finally had a small flock of Violet-green Swallows flying high
above the Willow Creek Hatchery and the Marsh this morning in Edmonds
(3-19-11). Between swallows and the sun it finally felt like spring.
Thousands of gulls continued in a line strung out from Shell Creek to
Kingston. Obviously there is an abundant food source right now. They
were further out than they were when seen yesterday so we were not
able to identify either a Glaucous or a Little Gull. There were lots
of Mews, Bonaparte's, Glaucous-winged, and some Western Gulls. To
figure out what other species are in the crowd would require a ferry
ride. A lot of Brants were mixed in among the gulls. Eight Great Blue
Herons flew into the nests on the south side of the Marsh and were
still there when we finished birding. Fox, Lincoln's, and Song
Sparrows were seen. A single Coot and a female Hooded Merganser were
among the ducks in the ponds on the south side of the Marsh as seen
from Point Edwards. We saw our only Belted-Kingfisher of the morning
at that spot, too. Bald Eagles and Red-tailed Hawks were the only
raptors of the morning and Yellow-rumped Warbler was the only
warbler. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was at the Hatchery when we
arrived. That was the first we have seen in many months. There were
several Anna's Hummingbirds along the north side of the Marsh but we
still have not seen an FOY Rufous in these public areas of Edmonds.

Just a reminder that the Clinton ferry is docking at Edmonds this
weekend and the next two. It might make Edmonds Way a little crowded
as cars wait for both the Kingston and Clinton boats.

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds