Lake Fenwick and Boeing Ponds Field Trip (3/27/06) Highlights

... in the 50s. We began with a Red-tailed Hawk sitting on a nest that could be viewed from the Newport Hills P&R where we met. At Lake Fenwick we were greeted by the call of a Bald Eagle which we saw a little later. On the lake were Bufflehead, Common Mergansers, Ring-necked Ducks, beautiful Wood Ducks, Mallard, Canada Geese. Flitting and feeding in the trees in the sunlight were both species of Kinglets displaying there crowns. Black-capped Chickadees and single Bushtits. It is good to hear the Ruby-crowned Kinglets singing their pretty song which we only hear in the spring. A gorgeous Red-breasted Sapsucker gave us excellent close views for many minutes. Song Sparrows and Red-winged Blackbirds were present and calling. A Belted Kingfisher flew up and then down the lake. From Lake Fenwick we worked our way to Russell Road and past the Green River NRA (Kent Ponds) to Andersen Park. We didn't have time to stop at the ponds, but we did check for Barn Owl pellets under the pine trees. There were numerous pellets, all of which were old and we didn't seen any owls. Our last stop was at the Boeing Ponds just north of 212th St. Here we added Gadwall, American Wigeon and Ruddy Duck. A pleasant surprise was our first Osprey of the year. It was hunting over the ponds. An immature Red-tailed Hawk soared overhead while being chased by a crow. It was a nice morning trip for birding. 7 Birders - 30 Species