Lake Hills Greenbelt Field Trip (4/25/05) Highlights

 We birded Larsen Lake and Phantom Lake areas from 0915-1215. We started at the ponds on west side of 148th Avenue S.E., where we saw 1 Wilson's Snipe, 5 Mallard, 3 Northern Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 3 Cinnamon Teal (I have seen CITE only three times before in the greenbelt - 2 on 5/31/97, 3 on 5/1/02, and 3 on 4/24/04).

Also at Larsen Lake area we had Downy Woodpecker, Red-tailed Hawk, American Goldfinch and two Bushtits at a nest in a small shrub. In the woods area between the lakes we found one Hutton’s Vireo but no evidence of a bird, but at the nest near Phantom Lake we did see a vireo sitting on the nest.

In the woods area we found a Chestnut-backed Chickadee coming out of a nest hole. Near the woods we saw both Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds. At the fields north of 16th Avenue S.E. a flock of 5 Least Sandpiper flew in.  A Cooper’s Hawk flew over. White- and Golden-crowned Sparrows were seen from the sidewalk by 156th Avenue. Three Northern Flicker were in nearby trees with one doing a head swaying and tail flaring display.

A Red-tailed Hawk was at the nest on 156th Avenue S.E. at the Phantom Lake access. It appeared the hawk was tearing apart some prey. A Red-breasted Sapsucker was excavating a hole in a snag. Bufflehead, Ring-necked Ducks, one American Wigeon and a Pied-billed Grebe were on the lake. An adult Killdeer and at least one young were on the grass by the lake. An immature Bald Eagle soared overhead. It turned out to be an interesting morning for bird watching.