Hey tweets, things were really hopping at the Fill today, which is a
big relief. It's been so quiet for so many days, it's been hard not to
wonder if the Apocalypse was on the way. Birds are always the first to
leave when that happens, as any Hollywood director will tell you.
Today saw the first return of a Fox Sparrow (SW Pond), along with
numerous Lincoln's, and several Savannahs migrating in a flock. The
Golden-crowned Sparrows are back now, too, which means if you beat the
bushes, you stand a good chance of having an 8-sparrow day.

The Greater White-fronted Goose flock was back on the playfields,
though they didn't arrive until mid-morning (I've been seeing them
very early in the morning, just after dawn). There are 6 in the flock.
Today they were joined by 3 Cackling Geese. All were resting in the
playfield north of Franklin. I think they like the succulent grass
that the UW Athletics Department keeps watered all year round.

In the drier, wilder part of the Fill, a Western Meadowlark was doing
dive-bombs. It would burst out flying from some higher spot (never
could tell which one), sail forth over the grass, then drop like a
stone into deep cover. I think it must have walked back to its perch
to repeat, kind of like old days downhill skiers who had to slog up
the mountain with great effort for the pure but relatively short joy
of skiing downhill, only to turn right back and slog upwards again.

A flock of Evening Grosbeaks flew over Main Pond, heading toward
Conibear. I saw them later as they flew toward Foster Island. They
were the FOY for me. I am up to 140 species for the year, which is on
target for last year but far from the record of two years ago: 172.
Still, we have 3 months to go. A big (really big) flock of goldfinches
has been fluttering all over the prairies, eating chicory seeds - they
seem to put the sparrows and other finches at ease, so I am hopeful
they might attract some longspurs or rare sparrows. Keep your eyes
peeled when you're out and about: things are on the move. - Connie,
Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com
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