We have been steadily adding species over the last two months to the collective year list. Code 5 (fewer than 5 records) birds were a Horned Puffin, a Chipping Sparrow and a Barn Owl in July, and a Franklin?s Gull and Brown Booby in August. Code 4 (rare, 5+ records) species were Lesser Yellowlegs in July and continuing, and Black Turnstones in August. Code 3 (harder to find, but usually seen annually) birds include Baird?s Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Parasitic Jaeger, and yesterday?s Pectoral Sandpiper in the marsh. Red-necked Phalaropes (code 3) irrupted this morning, beginning around 9 a.m., with multiple sightings throughout the day.

Western Grebes are now showing up in the far offshore waters, although one was closer to land this morning. Cormorants are starting to return. Duck variety is on the upswing with recent sightings of Northern Pintail both in the marsh and along the waterfront, Northern Shoveler, Hooded Merganser, and Green-winged Teal. Pacific Loons should be returning soon. We have yet to see a Vaux?s Swift this year, but with cloudier days the prospects are improving. Still hoping that an Elegant Tern will wander into Edmonds waters from Point No Point.

This has been a banner summer for Common Yellowthroats (code 3) around the marsh, with sightings continuing as recently as yesterday. Other migrants are passing through, such as Western Tanagers (code 2), Savannah Sparrows (code 2), Black-throated Gray Warblers (code 2), and Warbling Vireos (code 1). A second Cliff Swallow (code 3) of the year was on the waterfront yesterday, foraging with Barn Swallows in the marina.

We are at 162 species for the year.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds