Hey tweets, dynamite appeared at my house yesterday, and I got blasted
out of my routine and over to Juanita Bay. Shades of my chasing days.
I went to see the Bewick's Swan and was highly gratified to find it
foraging peacefully near the shore of Juanita Beach Park. A Tundra
Swan and 11 Trumpeter Swans were in the vicinity, providing convenient
comparisons. The Trumpeter Swans were quietly talking to each other, a
transcendent eavesdropping opportunity for us humans.

Also on view: A Snow Goose, 3 Cackling Geese, a dozen or so Common
Goldeneyes, a Western Grebe, and a bonus Bonaparte's Gull! The trip
was well worth missing my correct exit and wandering around in Bothell
for an interminable length of time until I couldn't tell north from
south or east from west. There must be something in the air of Bothell
and Tukwila, two places where I invariably get lost and must wander
like a lost soul until the heavens relent and I see a landmark I
recognize - in this case, Lake Washington.

BTW, the Fill yesterday was preternaturally quiet, although after much
beating of bushes, I managed to see a few birds. The Western Grebe who
has been hanging out at the crewhouse was still there. A Merlin has
been taking advantage of the new feeding station at the Youth Farm to
mine for prey. And numerous Steller's Jays are picking juniper berries
near the picnic tables and carrying them off to eat in private.

The UWBG has authorized the cutting of the big cottonwoods on the west
side of the Youth Farm, next to the big dumpsters. The trees are
making way for a self-contained composting rig that will accept food
scraps from the Hub. It is a joint project between UWBG and the UW
students to encourage sustainability practices. To mitigate the small
loss of habitat, the UWBG plans on creating a short trail from the
Corporation Yards, winding south and east, and joining the gravel road
that runs directly into Shoveler's Pond. Along the new trail will be
native plantings that will be chosen to provide food for birds. Once
all is said and done, I hope this little area will become a hotspot
for songbirds, woodpeckers, and doves. - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com

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