Subject: [Tweeters] Magnuson Park Pacific Loon, Snow Goose
Date: Oct 29 13:20:07 2012
From: lsr at ramoslink.info - lsr at ramoslink.info


Birding the park this morning was a challenge, with the drizzle, mist and
strong breezes. But, Evan Houston and I were rewarded with some unusual
park birds, perhaps brought in by the wind.

First was a Pacific Loon, just beyond the swim platform. This was a park
first for Evan and only my second. A Canvasback joined the small, mixed
flock of both Greater and Lesser Scaup. A Bonaparte's Gull was flying out
in the middle of the lake as was a large flock of Northern Pintail. And a
Herring Gull joined the regulars on the swim platform, until they all left
when a Bald Eagle decided to land there.

Next, in the grass playfields near the cricket pitch were three Greater
White-fronted Geese and a Snow Goose. The SNGO was also a park first for
Evan; and just my second sighting. Also, mixed in with the large flock of
Canada Geese were four Cackling Geese (minima - 3; taverner's - 1).

A very disheveled-looking Eurasian Wigeon was mixed in with the American
Wigeon and large flock of Ring-necked Ducks, in Promontory Pond. A
Pied-billed Grebe was in the Dead-end Lagoon.

In the shrubs near Crescent Pond were a late Savannah Sparrow and a
Lincoln's Sparrow. In the wetlands, was a very sharply colored juvenile
White-crowned Sparrow that may have been a Gambelli.

Between Pontiac Bay and NOAA was a huge flock of American Coot, at least
700 birds.

For the morning, 57 species.
Scott Ramos
Seattle