Subject: [Tweeters] SAS Field Trip to Spencer Island today
Date: Nov 10 18:12:18 2012
From: Carl Haynie - hayncarl at gmail.com


Hi Tweets,

Seven intrepid birders braved the cold and early fog on today's Seattle
Audubon trip to Spencer Island and the adjacent Everett Water Treatment
Plant (WTP) ponds. We arrived around 8 am and started to do the loop
around the south end of the island. But between increasingly dense fog and
the sound of waterfowl hunters too close for our comfort (why are they
shooting in fog?), we turned back and took an alternate route along the
bike trail toward Langus Park before finally returning and working the WTP
ponds for gulls and waterfowl.

We were thankful for the sun which finally replaced the fog around 10:30.
Trip ended around 2:15. Of the 60+ species recorded, highlights included:

Tundra Swan - several small flocks overhead; at least one flock calling
(thankfully)
Cinnamon Teal (rare this time of year) - one drake stubbornly shy in the
marsh on the way out; one mostly hidden female in the same vicinity on our
return.
Eared Grebe (1-2) - on the large pond north of the parking lot
Sora - one joined in on a chorus of 10+ (provoked) Virginia Rails in the
marsh between the parking lot and bridge; another rarity for November.
Black-bellied Plover (50+)
Northern ("yellow-shafted") Flicker - well studied male with two black
malar stripes but with only an indistinct red "flag" on its hind neck.
Pileated Woodpecker (1)
Merlin (1) - this amazingly approachable bird allowed endless close looks
in our scopes. The talons on it alone were stunning as it preened,
stretched, and warmed itself in the sun.
Peregrine Falcon (1) - at one point this predator scattered a flock of
Dunlin over the large pond.
Northern Shrike (1 imm.) - decent looks at this very active bird near the
parking area and along the road to Spencer I.
Varied Thrush (1 male) - much enjoyed, especially by our guest from North
Carolina!

Carl Haynie (leader)
Sammamish, WA
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