Hi Tweets -
I made a short afternoon trip to Renton & Auburn today, hoping to see a couple King Co year birds.
My first stop - Waterworks park in Renton, failed to turn up the Black Phoebe that has been reported since the 18th or 19th -- possible it is still around though, so I'd bet it is worth others visiting.

Next up, I headed to Emerald Downs -- On Aug 24, Russ K reported seeing a Great Egret hanging out on the infield at Emerald Downs. Dave Slager, figured out that you can see much of the infield w/o entering -- I followed his directions from ebird, and indeed it was easy to scope a King Co Great Egret, still hanging out in the infield [near the pond] -- the trick: View from the railroad overpass on 15th St. NW - this is just east of the M St. turn-off that is the usual place to look for ducks & shorebirds in the spring. You can park on M St. right at the intersection [there's a pulloff on the west side] and from there it is just a couple minute walk east on 15th to the overpass. Sure enough, Great Egret visible.

Good distant birding!

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA