An Excellent Day of Birding

Yesterday I had planned to wake up before sunrise and head down to Union Bay Natural Area, my favorite birding spot in Seattle. I overslept however and woke up at 8:00, I almost decided to bail but I'm really glad I didn't.

When I got to the spot I almost immediately spotted a Green Heron in one of the ponds. As I watched it catch fish, suddenly a second Green Heron swooped in, I assume to steal the first heron's fish.

After watching the herons for a bit, I moved on to Yestler Swamp where I passed someone who told me they had just seen a Barred Owl. Barred Owls had been one of my nemesis birds, despite being the most common owl in Seattle I had never seen one in Washington. I followed their directions to where they spotted it and after a few minutes of searching I relocated it. It was sleeping fairly low in a tree and gave me great views. Super exciting!

After the owl I started to leave, but on my way out I spotted a Warbling Vireo and a Wilson's Warbler, both uncommon in September, they're usually summer birds. The last cool bird I found was a third Green Heron in the canal on my way out. I got to watch it catch a fish and snatch a dragonfly out of the air. What a great day of birding, even with a late start.