Subject: [Tweeters] Fill on Monday
Date: May 6 12:20:23 2013
From: Connie Sidles - constancesidles at gmail.com


Hey tweets, the Fill was stunningly beautiful this morning, with golden light and no wind. The swallows who visited Main Pond to drink made double rows of ripples on the glassy surface, just from the wind of their wings passing. I love to see that and only do so when the air is still.

While the Tree Swallows were making ripples, a female BLUE-WINGED TEAL sailed out from behind the willows on the west side, followed in short order by her male companion. They joined a male Cinnamon Teal who was sunning himself on the shore and looked like he was aflame, his feathers were so lit. Soon a couple of Green-winged Teals showed up, making this a three-teal day.

After a bit, a LEAST SANDPIPER pattered out from the bushes and foraged near the ducks. It was soon joined by two LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and then an AMERICAN PIPIT. What a party over on that little strip of mud.

Also on view today:
The Snow Goose seen earlier is still present, flying from the helipad field (where it grazes on the short grass), around the Fill, then out to the lake or back to the field for more grazing.

A FOY WILSON'S WARBLER in Yesler Swamp.

A pair of Wood Ducks is attempting to nest in the alder grove kitty-corner from the kiosk. They are being pestered by American Crows that are also nesting in that grove, so I'm not sure the ducks will continue to persevere. A couple of Brown Creepers don't seem to care about the crows and have begun nest construction in that grove as well. At least two Anna's Hummingbirds have nested there this year, too - one built her nest more than 30 feet up in a cottonwood. House Finches and European Starlings are also nesting in that grove. It's a crowded place.

The Cliff Swallows who nest under the IMA building have begun rebuilding their mud nests today. I'm glad to see them hard at work there. The Barn Swallows have decided to make the old canoe house nearby their choice of nesting place, as they have done for the past two years at least. They're checking out the right spots now.

Altogether, we're up to 130 species this year. - Connie, Seattle

constancesidles at gmail.com
www.constancypress.com