Jim Owens and I had a wonderful group of 10 new birders on our beginner's field trip in Discovery Park this morning, with clear skies and 72 degree weather. Despite it being late August, typically a quiet time for birds, we had very nice looks at most of our resident birds (undistracted by confusing migrants), including a very cooperative Barred Owl which showed us in great detail how to use one's uropygial gland to present oneself as magnificently as possible. Also magnificent, but more of a "fluke" view for Puget Sound, a Gray Whale blew and showed itself to us several times. We had a pooled total of 37 species, although we ran out of time and didn't get down to the beach to see if there were shorebirds.

Gary Kelsberg, Seattle