Hi Tweets - en route to a hike (climb?) up Oyster Dome off Chuckanut Drive today, we couldn't resist stopping off on Estes Rd to check out the ponds reported by Joan Bird yesterday. No phalaropes to be seen but, a nice alternative was a pair of Blue-winged Teal and three (count 'em THREE) not-so Solitary Sandpipers! (photos avail.) On the hike - countless Wilson's Warblers at lower elevations and similar numbers of Townsend's singing at higher elevations. From the Dome - nice looks down onto the backs of Turkey Vultures soaring up towards us - one being harassed by a Common Raven. On the way home, swung by the West 90 and indeed found a number of yakky Virginia Rails (finally got a good look at one), but no response from the Soras!? Anyway, surprisingly nice hiking day with 3 FOY! Happy birding -

Jon Houghton, Edmonds