Tweets - it was COLD out there (just 37 degrees at 5:30 a.m.), but with
almost clear skies and little wind, it did slowly warm up and it was 61
degrees by the time we left the Rowing Club. We were disappointed in having
ZERO FLYCATCHERS, though this is still a bit early for them. Basically,
nothing is showing up early and some things are lingering late, but we found
virtually everything that ought to be here at this time of year.

The best few minutes were along the west edge of the Dog Meadow, where we
were treated to prolonged, glorious looks at both male and female WESTERN
TANAGERS. One or two trees over were a pair of BULLOCK'S ORIOLES. We had
our first-of-the-year CEDAR WAXWINGS. And WARBLING VIREOS, WILSON'S
WARBLERS, and BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAKS were out singing.

Lingering winter visitors included:
Northern Shoveler Pair flyby at 5:30
Lincoln's Sparrow 1 east of the East Footbridge
Golden-crowned Sparrow 2 near Pea Patch

Other highlights:
Great Blue Heron Numbers up - foraging for young?
Green Heron Several sightings; one posed at RC
Sharp-shinned Hawk 2 south of windmill
Hairy Woodpecker Female very actively feeding young at nest
Cliff Swallows Gathering mud at Compost Piles
Swainson's Thrush 1 singing at 5:00; first song of year
Townsend's Warbler 2+ east of East Footbridge
Evening Grosbeak 4 flyovers (dang hard to see)

Our only real misses were Pied-billed Grebe (absent in recent summers, so no
surprise there), Band-tailed Pigeon (a 50-50 shot this time of year), Belted
Kingfisher (less than a 50-50 shot), Western Wood-Pewee (seen 7 out of the
last
17 years), and House Sparrow (absent for several years now, so totally no
surprise). That is to say, we didn't miss anything expected.

We also had a Pacific Tree Frog hopping around near the park office.

For the day, 66 species. Adding Cedar Waxwing, the year list is now at 130.

It was a good day, except for my whining.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland, WA
== http://www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== http://www.marymoor.org/BirdBlog.htm
== birdmarymoor at frontier.com