Weather could not have been better today with a cool start, beautiful sunrise, only a slight breeze and lots of bird activity. Transition to fall is well underway with new species arriving each weak. Plus, the autumnal recrudescence of the amatory urge seems to have begun as well: lots of full song from both kinglets, Robins and Orange-crowned Warblers. Some notables include:

Greater White-fronted Goose - 3 on the baseball fields, FOF (first of fall)
American Wigeon - a large flock flying up-lake, FOF
Red-necked Grebe - 3 off the boat launch, FOF
Cooper?s Hawk - at least 3, two of which were juveniles and spent several minutes chasing each other around the wetlands
Wilson?s Snipe - very vocal in the west meadow
Eurasian Collared-Dove - 3 flew over Promontory Point
Barn Owl - at least one, hissing, kleaking and croaking, from near the newest nest box
Varied Thrush - some soft calls on Promontory Point
Orange-crowned Warbler - one very bright individual in the wetlands, another drab bird at the Arena Sports shore
Pine Siskin - small flock flying around Promontory Point, FOF
Evening Grosbeak - calling from above Prom. Point
Red-naped Sapsucker - seen climbing tallest cottonwood on Promontory Point, then flew downhill, out of sight. I?m waffling a little on the ID of this bird?here are features I was able to see: red crown and throat, no other red visible but had a very dingy appearance; white eyeline, light breast, white wing patches, white spots on outer primaries. He was first seen high in the cottonwood, then went even higher, circling around the trunk, never showing his back so I could never confirm nape color. Looked wet and messy, with the cap sticking up somewhat. Definitely not a Red-breasted but possibly a hybrid or, remotely, even Yellow-bellied (offered by Ryan M.). Hopefully, it will stick around for others to see and confirm.

For the day, 56 species; with RNSA, VATH and PISI new, 131 for the year.
Checklist: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S20017438
Scott Ramos
Seattle