This is the time of year that can, with good weather, yield a great diversity of birds since many of the water birds have not yet left while many early migrants have arrived. And, today?s weather was nothing short of spectacular. Temps in the mid-40s to start and mid-60s at the end, very little breeze and clean, clear skies. A crescent moon at the start with a very bright Venus just added to the ambiance. Plenty of notables to relate.

Eurasian Wigeon - most of the wigeon have left but this male persists
California Quail - calling from Kite Hill
Ring-necked Pheasant - calling from just south of the dog run; we get pheasants infrequently; apparently, there is a homeowner north of the park that raises them; FOY
Common Loon - at least 3
Red-necked Grebe - one in summer finest
Great Blue Heron - 4, the most I?ve seen at the park; one had emerged from the wetlands, then headed north; the others followed, though their starting point was unclear
Osprey - one at the nest, the other out on the NOAA dock
Cooper?s Hawk - at least 2; the nesting pair were on the Point, with the male toying with a recently caught wood rat and kekking, and the female in a different tree responding
https://youtu.be/qtyzAO9MQQ0
Red-tailed Hawk - seen multiple times; the first time carrying a small rodent and trailing a couple of harassing crows
Sora - whinnying from the Grove Pond, FOY; also present in the same pond was a kiddicking Virginia Rail
Barn Owl - the juveniles in the community center nest box were hissing on and off
Hermit Thrush - at least 2; one flushed off the Promontory Point trail, flew off to the brush above the bluff, perched and went to sleep
https://youtu.be/8kNUiDO39UY
Warblers - half a dozen Orange-crowned, a dozen or so Common Yellowthroat, and several dozen Yellow-rumped, the majority Audubon?s
White-throated Sparrow - white-striped and quite striking colors; south fence trail; FOY
https://youtu.be/iF_7tFjChqc
Lincoln?s Sparrow - singing
Brewer?s Blackbird - one male; Jan had seen a pair recently; we don?t see Brewer?s every year; FOY

For the day, an amazing 75 species! With CLSW, RNPH, WTSP, BRBL and SORA new, 96 species for the year.
Scott Ramos
Seattle