Trilogy Birders

Ten courageous and adventurous Trilogy Birders visited Duck Lake on the morning of 10 November.  There were several hundred ducks possibly as many as one thousand.  In addition to hundreds of Mallards, we saw Green Winged Teal, Bufflehead, Ring-necked Duck, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail and Northern Shoveler.  All the ducks were in breeding plumage.  We also had a good view of a Belted Kingfisher.  This bird was very noisy.

Jim, Gail, Sharon, Karren, Bob and Dave. Not shown: Bobbie, Jerry and Terry.

As you can see, it was great fun.

We hope to have another duck walk in December.  Stay tuned.

On Monday, 23 June, 13 Trilogy Birders drove to Stillwater to bird the Snoqualmie Valley Trail.  It turned out to be an incredibly “birdy” day and it was great fun.

(Not in order) Carlo, Ellen, Steve, Nancy, George, Jan, Jan, Bill, Phil, Jim, Linda, Cyndie, and Ruth. Photo by Dale Garvey.

Carlo captures a bird with his long lens. Photo Dale Garvey

Ruth points out a bird to Jan. Photo Dale Garvey

A Tree Swallow nest on the trail. Photo Dale Garvey

Song Sparrow. Photo Carlo Parravano

Here is a list of the species that we saw or heard.

Yes, that was an American Bittern!  Several of us saw it fly low over a large grassy meadow.  The Tree Swallows were perched next to their nest.
Can’t wait till the next field trip!

Joyce Meyer filed this report:

In the gloom of the afternoon rain, there arrived a shining star.  First of the season male Rufous Hummingbird has arrived at my home feeders.  Last year’s arrival was March 11.  The earliest arrival I have recorded is March 2 at my previous house, 5 miles west of my current home.  I now await the female Rufous Hummingbird and many more.  There are currently 10-13 Anna’s Hummingbirds frequenting three 4/cup feeders.

The female Rufous Hummingbird that has yet to appear.

Nancy Harmon took this video at the Tower of London.  This is one Raven speaking:

There have been few ducks here this season.  Until today, I saw no more than 2 or 3 hundred ducks at one time.  Today, I saw at last 500 and perhaps 600 ducks on the lake.  There were several Northern Shovelers, both male and female, Buffleheads, Northern Pintails, American Wigeons, a few Eurasian Wigeons, and Mallards.  Perhaps I will see more in the coming weeks. 

It’s the middle of November.  This afternoon, I took the short stroll to Duck Lake.  On approach I could hear the Mallards squawking and the Wigeons peeping.  I also heard the Coots complaining.  There were few ducks, perhaps only a hundred, but the hundred included several Wood Ducks, Northern Pintails, Ring-necked Ducks, and Buffleheads.  All the ducks were in stunning breeding plumage.

Joyce Meyer took this photo of 14 Anna’s Hummingbirds on her 8-hole feeder.  The photo was taken through her back window on January 11, 2013 at 4:37 p.m.

Joyce and Mike saw this Common Redpoll today about Noon with a flock of about 50-70 Pine Siskins at their feeders and on the ground.

Grant reports:

The bird was in a high cottonwood perched on a bare branch. Stayed long enough to get the scope on it. The tree was located on the edge of the golf course behind the homes on 232nd Terrace about 100 yards south of 126th.

This makes number 120!

People should be encouraged to keep up their hummingbird feeders.  We have 3 feeders available all year round.  On the evening of October 26, 2012, there were 8 Anna’s Hummingbirds feeding just before sunset.  It was quite a delightful sight.

Joyce Meyer

Mike West