We had a great bird walk this morning in the vicinity of the Edmonds
marsh. In the marsh itself we had a Yellow-headed Blackbird (code 4),
the first Long-billed Dowitcher of the year (code 3), a continuing
Northern Rough-winged Swallow (code 3), Orange-crowned and Yellow
Warblers, and a Hammond's Flycatcher. The best bird was a Chipping
Sparrow (code 5) heading north through the marsh. I was very pleased
with the Chipping Sparrow as that was a new Snohomish County bird for
me as well as a new Edmonds bird.

Cedar Waxwings are now being seen in small numbers around Point
Edwards and the marsh. Our first-of-year Western Wood-Pewee showed up
on May 16 near the Willow Creek Hatchery. The Sound is pretty quiet
with the departure of the Brants, both grebes, and most sea ducks with
the exception of the Surf Scoters. No spring sightings of Turkey
Vulture but that has become a pattern over the last few years. If they
are seen, it is usually in fall migration. We are at 148 species for
the year.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA