Tweets -; it was a frosty 29 degrees to start the walk, but it warmed due to no wind and bright sunshine. It feels unfamiliar to even type "sun". Pretty birdy at times too. The water has mostly receded, though the southern end of the off-leash Dog Area is still closed. But we were able to get to the boardwalk from the east end. The boardwalk had only a little water over one section (2"), but had a fair amount of debris left from the flooding. Luckily, while much of it was actually floating for about a week, it managed to settle relatively level.

Highlights:
a.. Cackling Goose -; probably 2000 total, with many landing on the grass soccer fields
b.. American Wigeon -; still a half-dozen in the slough; the remaining interior ponds were iced over
c.. Common Merganser -; 1 or 2 female-type
d.. Green Heron -; one at the Rowing Club
e.. Cooper's Hawk -; several sightings, at least 2 birds
f.. Barn Owl -; distant views from the Viewing Mound
g.. Short-eared/Long-eared Owl -; since we've had sightings of both species this year already, I can't presume the species from the brief views we had from the Viewing Mound
h.. Hairy Woodpecker -; male at Rowing Club
i.. Northern Shrike -; juvenile in East Meadow
j.. House Finch -; Three flyovers -; probably at least 4 birds! Shocking that that's shocking
k.. Pine Siskin -; small flock(s), making for a 2-finch day!
l.. Western Meadowlark -; 7-10 in the East Meadow, with singing heard
m.. TOWNSEND'S WARBLER -; one flycatching NE of the Clise Mansion (over the Art Barn). First of Year
We also saw American Beaver predawn, and a dead possum in the Dog Meadow. At the Rowing Club, we had our first RED-EARED SLIDER of the year (first turtle of any kind).

Misses today included Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, and Purple Finch.

For the day, 57 species.

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