After several days of frigid temperatures and stagnant air, it was delightful to have a little rain last night to clear the skies. And, although the ground was pretty wet, the rain held off during the day. It was an interesting mix of birds: most of the wintering duck species are back, although in low numbers. Except for robins, the passerine activity seemed subdued. Twice when I hit upon a pocket of passerine activity, a Cooper?s Hawk flew into the mix, scattering the focus of my attention to all parts. Nothing out of the ordinary today; here are some notables.

Cackling Goose - not common here; a couple of Taverner?s and a single minima
Ring-necked Duck - female, in the Promontory Ponds; first of fall
Greater Scaup - a couple near the platform, a couple near the marina; FOF
Lesser Scaup - just a few more, at both places
California Quail - 2 groups of half a dozen
Common Loon - mid-lake
Cooper?s Hawk - one adult, one immature
Virginia Rail - calling from the wetlands
Spotted Sandpiper - Sail Lagoon; has been absent for many months; FOF
Herring Gull - 1 on the platform with the 4 other typical species
American Robin - numbered in the 100s; mostly near berries
Cedar Waxwing - a few, with the robins
Purple Finch - 2, also with the robins; am seeing more frequently this year than normal

For the day, 60 species; 135 for the year.
Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20617857 <http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20617857>
Scott Ramos
Seattle