Started out pouring, then gradually subsided to just a cold, cloudy day
with a bit of a breeze. Still, bird activity was good, with decent variety.

The morning started off well when a Great-Horned Owl flew in to my
attempts at Saw-Whet call. It perched about 15 feet away and kept
twisting around looking for something, then gave up and flew off. No
other owls today, though. Raptors included Bald Eagle, a couple of
Red-tailed Hawks (one adult, one immature), a couple of Cooper's Hawks
(adult and immature) and a very small Sharp-shinned Hawk. This bird was
flying in among the low brush where there were lots of passerine
activity, then perched briefly giving nice views, before continuing on.

The Snow Goose continues, flying in to the playfields in a small group
with a single Cackling Goose, a single Greater White-fronted Goose and a
few Canadas. At the swim platform, many Ring-billed Gulls, plus a few
California and a single Herring Gull. Dozens of Mew Gulls came and went.
A Red-necked Grebe was out between NOAA and Pontiac Bay.

Other interesting birds included a Northern Shrike (juvenile), near the
fins; several Lincoln's Sparrows, which have been hard to come by
recently; and, a Purple Finch, in the Community Garden.

For the day, 61 species, in two separate trips to the park, separated by
a detour to visit the ongoing Summer Tanager (!) in Wallingford.
Scott Ramos
Seattle