Tweeters,
Smoke on the water! It started cool and foggy/smoky and ended cool and smoky (44-56degF) at the JBLM Eagles Pride GC. Birds were quiet, but all was well on our cruise around the course. Part way through the walk we started getting some rain sprinkling lightly (Yippee!) and hope the forecasted rain will be coming in the next few days to clear up what has been noted on weather channels as the worst quality of air in the US if not the world. We managed a few highlights for birds:
- We saw NO birds feeding on the fairways. Usually, we have at least some American Robins and European Starlings. Not sure as to why this habitat was empty of birds.
- First-of-season VARIED THRUSH, FOX SPARROW, RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET
- The juvenile PIED-BILLED GREBES at Hodge Lake have grown considerably, but head-striping is still visible. Two adult grebes were on the lake with them, and one other was at the maintenance pond.
- Two WOOD DUCKS were at Hodge Lake, down from the plethora we had last week there and at the 9th hole pond.

Mammals included coyote, Townsend's chipmunk, and Douglas squirrel. We also found remains of a mole and a shrew.

The JBLM Eagles Pride GC birders meet the third Thursday of each month at 8:00AM. Starting point is Bldg # 1514, Driving Range Tee, Eagles Pride Golf Course, I-5 Exit 116, Mounts Road Exit. Upcoming walks include the following:
* November 17
* December 15
* January 19
Anyone is welcome to join us!


>From the eBird PNW file:


29 species

Canada Goose 1
Wood Duck 2 Hodge Lake
Mallard 3
Hooded Merganser 2 Hodge Lake
Pied-billed Grebe 6 5 at Hodge Lake including 3 juveniles well along to adulthood but with striping still visible on their heads. One other grebe was at the maintenance pond.
Anna's Hummingbird 1
Bald Eagle 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Hairy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 10
Steller's Jay 4
American Crow 14
Black-capped Chickadee 12
Chestnut-backed Chickadee 17
Ruby-crowned Kinglet 3
Golden-crowned Kinglet 9
Red-breasted Nuthatch 12
Brown Creeper 4
Pacific Wren 6
Bewick's Wren 1
European Starling 12
Varied Thrush 2
American Robin 32
House Finch 4
Fox Sparrow 1
Dark-eyed Junco 32
Song Sparrow 8
Spotted Towhee 6
Red-winged Blackbird 1

View this checklist online at https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Febird.org%2Fchecklist%2FS121064754&data=05%7C01%7C%7C38bd3c7779df4c06b8df08dab3ab213c%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638019844826080163%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=XlrqH%2FpRkqmle5rzVQ9kVA3BOifd6XJmkigpATs8hqs%3D&reserved=0

May all your birds be identified,
Denis

Denis DeSilvis
Avnacrs 4 birds at outlook dot com