With dense fog and temperatures in the mid-30s, the morning started out like a day in January, not March. But, as the day progressed, the fog lifted, the sun came out and by noon it was already 50 degrees. What a contrast! And, it was quite birdy with lots of singing and cavorting.

The bird of the day had to be the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. I wonder if the number of kinglets in the park has remained about the same all winter but now that they are in full song, their true count made more obvious. Anyway, there were dozens.

Early on, Killdeer and Wilson's Snipe were calling. There were at least 3 Virginia Rail calling as well, 2 in Frog Pond and another in the marsh ponds. A large flock of Mew Gull were on the sports fields, with a few Ring-billed and Glaucous-winged. On the swim platform were a few California and a Herring Gull. In the early morning it was not possible to see beyond the platform. A later return to the spot revealed a pair of Canvasbacks, both Lesser and Greater Scaup and a single Red-necked Grebe, plus a group of 4 Red-breasted Mergansers in the middle of the lake. A flock of at least 100 American Wigeon strolled up onto the lawns, a single Eurasian Wigeon among them.

Small groups of Green-winged Teal were scattered around the park, including one possible Eurasian variety (no vertical white shoulder stripe, but a horizontal white flank stripe). It was seen with a group in the Entrance ponds and later in a soggy spot on the ball fields. Only a single female Ring-necked Duck was seen today, but a group of 8 Barrow's Goldeneye were seen north of Pontiac Bay.

Small numbers of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubon's) continue to be seen, more than a dozen Fox Sparrow actively foraged out in the open and a couple of Lincoln's Sparrows showed briefly.

Interestingly, no raptors of any kind were seen, except for a single Short-eared Owl. I met Sarah Peden who was leaving and mentioned having seen one in the shrubs just north of the fins and, although initially not visible, it eventually returned to a wide open perch, offering great views and a photo op.

For the day 60 species; up to 75 for the year.
eBird report: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S13330455
Scott Ramos
Seattle