Hey tweets, just got back from the Fill and it's been another wowza day. Four FORSTER'S TERNS just flew by!! An earlier CASPIAN TERN made for a nice comparison.

Here are the field marks:
overall, slimmer than Caspian Terns, with very long wings for their size
*very* white underneath, with no difference in color or tone between chin and belly
no black on wings, neither upper nor lower
wings looked silvery in the light - clouds blocked the full sun, so the lighting was excellent
"kerr" calls match the kerrs heard at the end of Birdweb's recording for this bird

The terns flew in from the southwest over Husky Stadium, circled briefly over the lake by the marina, calling repeatedly, then flew past me as I was standing by the Green's bench along the Loop Trail. They appeared to circle very briefly looking for fish, then flew off calling to the east.

Also on view today: The male Lazuli Bunting who has been hanging out along the south part of the Loop Trail appeared in the little tree at the north end of SE Pond today. Still not singing. Three Blue-winged Teal males were floating around today - 2 on Main Pond, 1 on Shoveler's Pond. A female Wood Duck flew into the aspen grove southwest of the kiosk - could be nesting in the dead snag there. A rare Double-crested Cormorant flew around the lake before heading north. A Eurasian Collared-Dove flew by East Point in perfect sunlight. Yesterday we had a Band-tailed Pigeon fly by; earlier in the year a Mourning Dove was also present. Given how this year has been going, can a White-tipped Dove be far behind?

Ospreys have been showing up regularly to look for fish, and today was no exception. A beautiful specimen was floating on the breeze, hovering here and there, watched by hungry crows. Here is a poem for you today:

Consider the Osprey and how he hunts:
surfing the wind
diving for fish
robbed by gulls, eagles, crows.
We often give more than we get.

- Connie, Seattle

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