Hey Tweets,

I've been swinging by a little area with three ponds in the Fairwood area of Renton... maybe 3-4 times a week this summer! On my first visit, back in early July, there were a couple of Least Sandpipers using the mud where a fourth pond was just disappearing. I got excited, and just kind of figured there would be more to come... and it's been the same 8 Killdeer, and sometimes a few Spotted Sandpipers every day since! This morning, however, I had another pair of Least Sandpipers, so the vigil has felt worthwhile - just enough to keep me watching. The pond has also had a dozen Mallards, and starting yesterday, a pair of Green-winged Teals. A Great Blue Heron has also been in the water about half of the time.

A second pond tucked in along the pipeline trail held a pair of Hooded Mergansers, and an Olive-sided Flycatcher. Both ponds had a few Barn Swallows hanging around. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but it was nice to see some fall birds coming through, winter birds arriving, and summer birds sticking around, all on the same day!

-Tim Brennan
Renton