While today was a gorgeous fall day, we were beset with thick fog from pre-dawn owling until we got to the lake platform. I?m sure we missed many birds, between the lack of visibility, and the constant noise as the wet air conducted distant sounds. Still, we had a very good day.

Highlights:

Ruddy Duck Female still hanging out near Lake Platform
Common Loon WAY out on lake
Sharp-shinned Hawk 1 near first dog swim beach
American Coot Around 400 on lake!
FRANKLIN?S GULL Briefly seen on grass soccer fields at 8:00
Barn Owl Heard, but unseen, East Meadow, 6:00 a.m.
W. SCREECH OWL Two near south slough end of boardwalk, one seen well
Pileated Woodpecker 1 just south of Dog Meadow
Northern Shrike Gorgeous adult continues, East Meadow
Cedar Waxwing Couple of sightings ? still a few around
Or.-crowned Warbler Maybe 3 total
Y.-rumped Warbler Maybe 3-6 total
Townsend?s Warbler One with Orange-crowns SW of mansion
Western Meadowlark 10+ near model airplane field

In the pre-dawn fog, we saw a COOPER?S HAWK atop one of the bird houses near the mowed trail. Suddenly, it took flight, chasing a small sparrow or wren that flew between our legs. Matt literally had to dive out of the way to avoid being hit by the hawk.

The FRANKLIN?S GULL was found in a large flock that was primarily MEW GULLS, but also had a few RING-BILLED, CALIFORNIA, and GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS on the grass soccer fields right where we park. The dark bill, faced washed with slaty darkness, dark mantle, small size, and eye crescents were easily seen in the scope. But before everyone could view it, a bunch of gulls including the FRGU took off and flew north.

For the day, 65 species!

== Michael Hobbs
== www.marymoor.org/birding.htm
== BirdMarymoor at frontier.com