Hi Tweets,

We have added some interesting birds our Edmonds year list in September and have ended the month with 179 species.

Dusky Flycatcher (code 5), 1 at SW County Park, 9-6-22. The bird was silent but was identified by the its downward tail bobbing by a highly reliable reporter. The abundance code for this species will be revised to code 4 (belatedly) as this was the sixth sighting we have documented.

Manx Shearwater (code 5), from the waterfront, 9-7-22.

Horned Lark (code 4), 1 at Marina Beach (photos), 9-13-22.

American White Pelican (code 4), from the waterfront (estimated 34-46 birds flying southbound), 9-18-22.

Franklin's Gull (code 4), 1 from the waterfront, 9-19-22.

Sabine's Gull (code 4), 1 from the waterfront, 9-24-22.

Late report: We received information (specifics on the critical field marks of the species) on the Pectoral Sandpiper sightings at Edmonds marsh in late August so we have added that species to the city year list.

Ring-billed Gull (code 3), 2 flying along the Edmonds side of Lake Ballinger, 9-24-22. This is the most likely location for Ring-billed Gulls in Edmonds. It is most likely that all of the undocumented ones at the waterfront are either immature California Gulls, which show a dark ring just before the bill tip, or immature Short-billed Gulls, which also show a similar ring in second winter plumage.

Other activity: A Cassin's Vireo (code 3) was singing in Maplewood Park, 9-4-22. Four California Scrub-Jays (code 4) showed up at feeders on Puget Drive on the morning of 9-7-22. They didn't stay long and flew off to the northeast. Two Great Horned Owls and a Barred Owl were heard calling in north Edmonds on the evening of 9-7-22. A Northern Pintail (code 3), adult hen, was on the beach at Shell Creek, 9-7-22 and another in the marsh 9-28-22. Fifty-five Cackling Geese (code 3) were at the marsh, 9-16-22, and a single Cackling Goose was on the beach at Water Street, 9-23-22. Two Pectoral Sandpipers (code 3) were in the marsh for a couple of days starting 9-28-22. A Spotted Sandpiper (code 3) and a Peregrine Falcon (code 3) were at the beach near Water Street, 9-29-22.

As always, I appreciate it when birders get in touch with me to share sightings, photos, or audio. It helps us build our collective year list. If you would like a copy of our 2022 city checklist, please request it from checklistedmonds at gmail dot com. If eBirders will use the details field for unusual Edmonds birds, it will help us build the city year list. Photographs or recordings are also helpful. The 2022 checklist is posted in the bird information box at the Visitor Station at the base of the public pier and is up to date through September.

Good birding,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, WA

Abundance codes: (1) Common, (2) Uncommon, (3) Harder to find, usually seen annually, (4) Rare, 5+ records, (5) Fewer than 5 records