Early in the day today, I saw 150 Greater White-fronted Geese fly by
heading north. I also saw an additional 30 birds resting on an island in
the marsh. Also early in the day 40+ Cackling Geese flew by, also
heading directly north.

There was an American White Pelican with breeding horn at the west side
of the marsh when I arrived. It later moved to an island in the middle
of the marsh. Several hours later, when I was walking along the dike
toward my car, I could not find the pelican, but then two showed up
flying together right overhead and about 100 feet up. They proceeded to
soar higher and higher as they made their way south. I did not have the
time to wait and see if they landed in the lagoon area.

There were at least 15-20 Yellow-rumped Warblers by the Deer Lagoon
trailhead when I arrived. Most of them were Myrtles although there were
two singing Audubon's. Although similar in song, I have always found
that there is a noticeable difference in the songs of the two subspecies
as they move through the area in April. I recently read on the Audubon
website that there is no difference between the two subspecies' songs,
so I have been testing myself to see if I am guessing right based on
sound, and I haven't guessed wrong yet after about 30 tries. We usually
have two or three singing Audubon's in the area of our property every
spring and summer so I get lots of opportunity to hear what they sound
like, and when the Myrtle's come through in numbers in the spring, they
clearly sound a little different. Anyone else finding the same thing?

George Heleker

Whidbey Island
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