Tweets - it's the August Doldrums, when the species count is rather low,
singing is rather rare, and excitement is supposedly hard to come by.
Mostly all true today, but there were some good moments. The day was cool
and cloudy, but really quite nice.

Highlights:

Common Merganser Same 7 ducklings from before? Almost grown
Cooper's Hawk A couple of juveniles about
Virginia Rail Matt & I heard at least 2 early at lake
platform
Barn Owl Awesome looks at 2, 5:45-6:00, East Meadow
CASSIN'S VIREO One singing, came in to iPod, along river
Warbling Vireo One along river
Purple Martin One high overhead
Bewick's Wren Large numbers, just about the only birds
singing
Bl.-thr. Gray Warbler At least 2 seen
Wilson's Warbler 2+, singing
Evening Grosbeak Several flyovers - probably 15+ birds

Last week's mystery bird, which I'd previously thought might have been an
American Pipit, turned out to be a HORNED LARK in very worn plumage. I had
to look through about 65 photos to find about 5 that showed enough field
marks for the ID. Lillian saw the same bird on the 18th, and the field
marks were maybe a little easier to see. Molting bird?

Maybe the best "bird" of the day today, though, was the MINK that Matt & I
saw at about 6:15 *on* the lake platform. It came running down the platform
almost to our feet before jumping into the lake. Dare I say "cute"?

For the day, 53 species. Birds we *didn't* see today included European
Starling, any swallows except Martin and Barn, Yellow Warbler, and
Brown-headed Cowbird.

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