Subject: [Tweeters] Schmitz Preserve - Orange Crowned Warbler and
Date: Apr 4 16:20:15 2012
From: Blair Bernson - blair at washingtonadvisorygroup.com


I was unexpectedly over in West Seattle and had
time for a quick visit at Alki and a Walk Through
Schmitz Preserve. The highlight at Alki was large
mass of Western Grebes - I counted 290 so let's
call it 300. I tried in vain to turn one of them
into a Clark's. Best part was that some were
paired off and doing their head bob, neck curling
display which I assume is early mating ritual.
There were also many Brant, several Horned Grebes
in varying plumages, two Red Necked Grebes and 6
Barrow's Goldeneyes. I saw a single Surf Scoter
and a single Pigeon Guillemot plus at least 20
Bufflehead during perhaps 15 minutes of looking.

Schmitz Preserve was beautiful but relatively
quiet. Many Pacific Wren singing, Robins, Varied
Thrush, both Black Capped and Chestnut Backed
Chickadees, calling Band Tailed Pigeons, Brown
Creeper beautifully framed on tree-side moss, and
at least a dozen Steller's Jays. I had my FOY
Orange Crowned Warbler and that was the only
warbler seen. I did not see a single sparrow
although some Song Sparrows were heard far away.
Golden Crowned Kinglets outnumbered their Ruby
Crowned Cousins 8 to 2. There was lots of
woodpecker drumming. I saw two Flickers and heard
at least two more. I also saw three Red Breasted
Sapsuckers, including the best close up view I
have ever had (resulting in my best pictures of
this species ever) and heard I believe at least
two and possibly three more. There was also a
fleeting glimpse of a Pileated Woodpecker flying
away into direct sunshine. Only other species
seen was Anna's Hummingbird. I saw only females
(5) all of them taking nectar from was I believe
to be flowering Salmonberry Shrubs.