Hi Tweets,



Hugh Jennings and I did this annual Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) in the Duvall, Carnation and Fall City area on 6/7/12. As Ryan Merrill said in his recent Tweeters report, "For those not familiar with these surveys, they're coordinated through USGS and completed by hundreds of birders across the country during the summer season. They're started fifteen minutes before sunrise and consist of a series of 50 three minute point counts spaced about a half mile apart. More information about the surveys can be found here":

https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbs/

I'd like to add that there are still many areas in our state that are not surveyed each year due to lack of volunteers. If you're a good sight and birder by ear, consider making a commitment to do this once a year. These surveys are very beneficial as well as fun!



Like Ryan's Newhalem BBS route, our Carnation BBS route has also been surveyed every year since 1968, and this is my and Hugh's second year. It starts just west of Duvall and ends downstream of Snoqualmie Falls. Our June 7 survey resulted in 986 individuals of 66 species. Among the most common birds were 26 Western Wood-Pewees, 33 Willow Flycatchers, 21 Pacific-slope Flycatchers, 6 Bank Swallows (a BIG surprise in the area where we saw them), 62 Swainson's Thrushes, 43 Cedar Waxwings, 24 Common Yellowthroats, 18 Yellow Warblers, 15 Western Tanagers, 41 Black-headed Grosbeaks, 4 Lazuli Buntings (1 female with nesting grass material in her beak, with a singing male nearby). The only annoying part of the survey were the 619 total vehicles (yes, you also count vehicles) which created lots of noise, mostly along the road into and on the way out of downtown Carnation. A clear sign this once quiet rural town is no longer. Sigh.



It was a great way to spend the morning!



Sharon Aagaard

Bellevue WA

scormieraa001 at hotmail.com