Hey tweets, what a glorious day at the Fill. It's amazing what a
little sunlight will do for bird colors, not to mention the
possibility of spotting the birds in the first place. Yesler Cove was
especially beautiful today, with both Hooded and Common Mergansers
catching lots of silvery fish. The birds here seem to be slowly
growing accustomed to people and no longer flush at the first sign of
a human being. I set up my camp stool beside my friend Amy, who is a
poet at heart. Believe me, there's no better person to be with than a
poet when you're watching gorgeous birds in ravishing sunlight in
great habitat. The Common Mergansers were particularly friendly,
coming very close to where we were on shore, so close in fact, that I
could see the little bow wave their foreheads made when they put their
faces underwater to look for fish. I've never seen that before.

Out on Hoyt Meadow, an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE was fluffing out its
feathers on the little fruit tree (hawthorne??) near the cattails.
Doug Parrott saw this bird earlier in the day, when it was actively
hunting. By the time I got to it, it was reposing. I felt like doing
the same in the warm sunshine.

Also on view: a male BREWER'S BLACKBIRD hopefully singing his best
while perched on top of the helipad shed. Blackbirds have nested in
the bushes around the helipad for several years now, although they
skipped last year (the bushes were chopped too short, I think). It's
good to see one guy back this spring. I hope others will follow. I
don't know of another Brewer's Blackbird breeding colony in the city.

Tree Swallows in numbers were swirling around the lake today, the
first time this year we have had them in the plural. Also on the lake:
3 Common Goldeneyes (2 males, 1 female) and a slew of Canvasbacks.

Yesterday, a Pileated Woodpecker thrilled all his many fans, coming
out into the open along the Loop Trail near the Lone Pine Tree. This
makes 90 bird species we have seen so far this year at the Fill. -
Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com
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