BOHEMIAN STYLE

BOHEMIAN & CEDAR WAXWINGS - Note rufous colored under tail coverts on Bohemian's

Meep, Meep, Tweeters,

Sunday proved very fruitful for viewing the BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS at Magnuson Park eating berries, catkins, and crabapples, and for seeing other birding enthusiasts doing the same exact thing. I found easy access to Magnuson Park via University to Sand Point Way then turned right on NE 65th Street simply following park signs to Kite Hill. I parked near the boat launch & Kite Hill and walked down to the beach near the lifeguard stand & floating dock to view shorebirds first. Among the waves were a large raft of COMMON GOLDENEYES, & BUFFLEHEADS. One COMMON MERGANSER appeared to be a hen but upon closer inspection was in fact a drake in eclipse plumage. A pair of GADWALL swam close to the boat launch as did several MALLARDS, AMERICAN WIGEON, and a quad of PIED-BILLED GREBES could be seen diving for mussels. Among the Glaucous-winged & mix of hybrid Gulls on the floating dock I spotted a lone HERRING GULL, and what looked like a dozen SANDERLINGS in winter plumage. I continued birding north along the paved trail toward the submarine field and suddenly spotted and heard the characteristic “zee," “zeet," and “scree," “zirr” from flock of 12 mixed CEDAR & BOHEMIAN WAXWINGS flying NE over my head into a crabapple tree along the southwest side of the path. A few remained in the tall poplar trees next to lower walk path near the beach approximately 100 yards ahead of me northwest of the submarine field to the west of the out buildings along the gravel service drive. Upon approaching, I could see two fellow bird enthusiasts I had seen & spoken to back at the Kite Hill parking lot, one was attentively using binoculars & the other changing camera lenses apparently trying to capture images of the few birds left atop the trees. I approached them to discuss the departure of the flock as we caught the last glimpse of them flying overhead. The undeniable “scree” and “zirr” could be heard as they departed. We bumped into two more birders as we headed back to our cars. I wish to thank all those who gave detailed reports on location – I am much obliged.

“Watch the birdie.”
Jill Routh Rucker a.k.a. Luv2bird
Seattle, WA