A beautiful Spring day in the NW; finally get to say that. Got to the park
early in the hopes of spotting some of the owls that have been observed in
the evenings recently. However, I was immediately distracted to other
objectives. As soon as I got out of the car, I heard a Virginia Rail
calling, from somewhere near the wetland ponds. It repeated the set of
kiddicks several times, but well out of reach. As I walked in that
direction, a Killdeer started its call. A few minutes later, while
monitoring the fields for possible owls, a Wilson's Snipe added its call.
Then, a Sora began a kerwhee session. All of this within a 15 minute
period. I abandoned the owl hunt and went to look for the Sora, a very
irregular visitor to the park. I got close enough on the trails to hear it
quite well and it seemed to be moving even closer. Finally, when I thought
it would emerge into view at the marsh pond closest to the trail, another
Sora answered with a loud whinny call, not 10 feet from where I was
standing. Neither showed themselves but the first continued its calling for
another 10 minutes, moving further away.

Other notables included at least 6 Red-necked Grebes in breeding plumage, 4
Horned Grebes in various stages of dress, and about 60 Western Grebes. Only
two, distant Scaup were seen, and they took off to the north shortly after.
Are these the last ones? And, only 2 Common Goldeneye and no mergansers.

Bushtits, Chickadees, Towhees, Robins, and Crows all observed carrying
nesting material. One Canada Goose still on nest and one Mallard family
with 3 ducklings. A couple dozen Yellow-rumped Warblers, in a 4:1 ratio
Audubon's to Myrtle. Common Yellowthroat singing and a pair of Hairy
Woodpeckers chasing each other near the NOAA property.

On the swim platform, about 40 Mew, 5 California and 3 Glaucous-winged
Gulls. Plus, 4 Caspian Terns with the gulls.

For the day, 56 species; now at 95 for the year.
Scott Ramos
Seattle