Glorious Spring weather at the park this morning, and the migrants continue
to pour in. Not much activity on the lake, though. Two Common Loons--one in
Pontiac Bay, the other at the swim beach--and a single Western Grebe. But,
the passerine activity made of for the lack of water birds.

Wilson's Warblers were everywhere, easily outnumbering even the
Yellow-rumps. Other warblers included FOY Yellow, many Orange-crowned and
Common Yellowthroats, plus Black-throated Gray and several Townsend's. Also
abundant were Warbling Vireo. A Hammond's Flycatcher was at the base of
Promontory Point as was a possible Dusky.

Both Cooper's and Sharp-shinned Hawks made appearances. A Virginia Rail was
giving a vociferous alarm call at Frog Pond, at one point striding into
view, briefly. A Western Sandpiper made a fly-over, then dropped down into
a residual puddle on the main walk, giving nice looks until an off-leash
dog chased it off. A Caspian Tern flew over after that.

Vaux's Swifts in the 100s easily outnumbered all swallows combined. Other
FOY included Western Tanagers, in the uplands and at Promontory Point, and
Bullock's Orioles, checking out the poplars at the NOAA fence line.
Blue-winged Teal was not in evidence today.

For the day, 53 species; 117 for the year.
Scott Ramos
Seattle