Tweets ? I led a birding-by-ear field trip for the current class of Master Birder students to Marymoor this morning. I took pity on them by not starting until 7:00 a.m., which I think worked fine with today?s chill, dark overcast, and breeze. The birds seemed to be slow in getting up too, while the weather kept the dogs (or at least their owners) in bed for a little longer than usual for a spring Saturday.

We managed 67 species on Thursday, but still managed twelve species today that we didn?t have Thursday!

The best was a moving flock in the willows just south of the East Footbridge that contained 5 species of warbler.

Highlights:

Sharp-shinned Hawk? Flying accip. at RC gave only so-so looks
American Coot One in slough (not seen Thursday)
LEAST SANDPIPER At least 10 still at Lot B puddles
Wilson?s Snipe Gave us 3 flybys and a call before we made the ID
Band-tailed Pigeon Not seen Thursday, 2 flew over park office
EUR. COLLARED-DOVE One flew over fields 7-8-9
Pileated Woodpecker One landed in Lot D trees just before 7:00
WARBLING VIREO First of spring, 1 in slough, 1 seen at RC
Pacific Wren Heard east of boardwalk ? getting late
Hermit Thrush Vanguard of great flock near East Footbridge
Orange-crowned Warbler Several seen (poorly for the most part)
NASHVILLE WARBLER One in great warbler flock
Townsend?s Warbler Gorgeous male in great warbler flock
WILSON?S WARBLER Two heard (one glimpsed). First of spring
Red Crossbill One near park office, one at Rowing Club

I wasn?t really focusing on finding every possible species, nor on keeping track of everything, but I believe we had 63-65 species this morning in 5 hours. Combining my trips from Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and today, 85 species for the week! For the year, we?re up to 115 species.

The rain started as we were getting into our cars to go home. Great timing. Good trip. Great class.

== Michael Hobbs
== www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== BirdMarymoor at frontier.com