Photo: American Bittern by Philip Dickinson
November 14, 2023
It was chilly but calm and sunny for the start of our day at Union Bay Natural Area aka Montlake Fill. Yessler Swamp was quiet, but we did find Pied-billed Grebe, Gadwall, Hooded Merganser, Brown Creeper and Fox Sparrow. As the morning progressed, we saw Bald Eagle, American Coot (hundreds), Northern Shoveler, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Anna’s Hummingbird, Yellow-rumped Warbler and Great Blue Heron. Then a young cyclist alerted us that an American Bittern was at the southwest pond. At Magnuson Park, at least 70 Western Grebe paraded along Lake Washington. On Promontory Point, fall trees provided food for Cedar Waxwing, Downy Woodpecker, Bewick’s Wren, Varied Thrush and many American Robin. However, the park highlight was a rare Swamp Sparrow we found in the marsh thanks to the ears of Frank Caruso. We finished our day at Kenmore’s Tracy Owen Park with Common Merganser (dozens), American Wigeon (hundreds), more American Coot (thousands), and Lesser Scaup.
52 Species (Approx. Qty)
Attendees: Phil, Rex, Diane, Denny, John H., Lisa, Doug C., Doug E., Lianne, Bruce, Frank, Jane, Karen, Teri, Melinda, Rick, Reg, Gary
CHECKLIST:
WATERFOWL: Canada Goose (37), Northern Shoveler (29), Gadwall (39), American Wigeon (650), Mallard (3), Northern Pintail (20), Green-winged Teal (2), Greater Scaup (12), Lesser Scaup (1), Bufflehead (17), Hooded Merganser (7), Common Merganser (76), Ruddy Duck (2)
LOONS, GREBES: Pied-billed Grebe (14), Western Grebe (70)
PELICANS, HERONS, IBIS: Double-crested Cormorant (11), American Bittern (1) Great Blue Heron (3)
RAPTORS: Bald Eagle (2)
RAILS, CRANES: Virginia Rail (1), American Coot (3300)
SHOREBIRDS: Killdeer (1)
GULLS: Ring-billed Gull (60), Glaucous-winged Gull (7)
HUMMINGBIRDS: Anna's Hummingbird (2)
KINGFISHER: Belted Kingfisher (1)
WOODPECKERS: Downy Woodpecker (3), Northern Flicker (1)
CORVIDS: Steller's Jay (2), American Crow (43)
CHICKADEES, BUSHTIT: Black-capped Chickadee (6)
NUTHATCHES, CREEPER: Brown Creeper (1)
WRENS: Bewick’s Wren (2), Pacific Wren (2), Marsh Wren (1)
THRUSHES: American Robin (31), Varied Thrush (1)
MIMIDS, STARLINGS: European Starling (34)
WAXWINGS, PIPITS: Cedar Waxwing (3)
WARBLERS, CHATS: Yellow-rumped Warbler (10)
LONGSPURS, SPARROWS: Spotted Towhee (5), Fox Sparrow (5), Song Sparrow (16), Swamp Sparrow (1), Golden-crowned Sparrow (3), Dark-eyed Junco (6)
BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES: Red-winged Blackbird (2)
FINCHES, WEAVER FINCH: House Finch (4), American Goldfinch (1)