The LHG (Lake Hills Greenbelt) Bellevue Common Redpolls continue this
morning during the time I looped around Larsen Lake, 0830-0930, detection
instant upon first arrival, still present upon departure as they all seemed
pretty happy and sedate in the SE corner birch grove 50 paces west of the
backside parking area at the Bellevue Boy's & Girl's club (15228 Lake Hills
Blvd.). At least 25 (23-27) Common Redpolls there plus 4 more in the lone tall
birch at the NE corner but which flew off to the north before I could
better views of those latter ones. At the SE birch grove site and best viewing
area, they were especially favoring the heaviest concentrations of seed
catkins, thus pretty dark viewing at times, not good for pictures, and nothing
leaped out especially definitive as a suspect Hoary. Bins are fine, but a
scope would certainly help for better viewing and study.

When they're scattered about up there, it's really hard to gauge how many
there really are until they all dash off into brief flight and what looked
like 10 or 12 turns into two dozen or more. On this fairly warmish almost
hinting at spring-like morning, the Redpolls seemed a bit more chatty than
usual, some even trying to sing a bit with a mix of twittering and some
tonal whistles. If they are there, they're pretty hard to miss. Just watch
the upper third to half of the birches for something little to make a move,
usually just a quick flutter from one branch or seed catkin to another.
Once you're on to their tricks, then these little ornamental balls of fluff
are easy to spot from greater distances.

The hybrid male Eurasian X American Wigeon continues on Larsen Lake and
worth taking a look at if you've never seen one before, photogenic, and
educative, and usually when present, always with the other 10-30+ American
Wigeon that usually hang out in the NW corner of Larsen Lake or up on the
adjacent bank in that area.

Richard Rowlett
Bellevue (Eastgate), WA
Pterodroma AT aol.com