Hey tweets, it was pretty lively at the Fill today, despite the gray
skies. An EARRED GREBE in winter plumage was foraging a little way off
the shore in Water Lily Cove, a big highlight for me. It was
accompanied by a still zebra-striped Pied-billed Grebe, no parent in
sight. Out on the bay, there were more grebes, mostly Pied-billed but
some Horned too. Yesterday we had a WESTERN GREBE, now unusual for us.
It's the first one I've seen in 3 years.

Two Merlins seem to have staked a claim to the Fill as their own
territory. My, they are scary birds, at least to their potential prey.
When they rocket through, the whole Fill falls completely silent and
still, as everyone hides or hunkers down, hoping not to be noticed.
One of the hunkerers today was a PECTORAL SANDPIPER, out on the lily
pads of the Lagoon, along with at least 7 Killdeer.

The Wood Duck males are already back in breeding plumage, having spent
so little time in eclipse it's a wonder they bother at all. American
Wigeons are returning in numbers now, along with Ring-necked Ducks and
Green-winged Teals. Ditto Yellow-rumped Warblers. A lingering Cinnamon
Teal is spending these autumn days dabbling on the Lagoon.

Green Herons have been scarce this year, but one adult showed up at
Southwest Pond a number of days ago and is conspicuous there nearly
every day now. Well, as conspicuous as Green Herons ever get.

Soras have turned up in at least 3 separate locations, all missed by
me. Blast. A Northern Harrier stopped by for a short cruise today as
well, also missed by me. Blast. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.
How could I, when the Fill was so beautiful this morning, and so
birdy? What a glorious planet we live on. - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com
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