Another beautiful August morning, starting cool and staying partly cloudy.
More migrating passerines; activity is picking up. But, with no mud except
at pond edges, no shorebirds were observed. A large flock of Killdeer were
flying around, vocalizing incessantly, at 5:30 am. Notables included:

Barn Owl - 2 early, East meadow; persisting even with construction
continuing at fire tower building and surrounds
Swainson's Thrush - at least 6, night flight calls overhead (5:35-5:45)
Warblers - many Orange-crowned (some singing) and Common Yellowthroat, plus
a Wilson's
Flycatchers - several Willow (whitting before dawn) and many Pacific-slope,
several locations
Raptors:
- Osprey
- Cooper's Hawk (2)
- Merlin, very dark, flying toward lake
- American Kestrel, colors vivid in morning sun; in wetlands, chased to SW
by an Anna's Hummingbird; my first Kestrel at Magnuson
Marsh Wren - at least 5, my highest total ever in the park
Cedar Waxwing - a few, with one on nest; seems late but BNA says "Second
broods or renesting attempts can begin in late Aug or later"
Lincoln's Sparrow - first of season; a little earlier than previous years

Scott Ramos
Seattle