Well, we had an outstanding spring morning at Evergreen Lake with a wonderful variety of birds (41 species), breakfast foods (infinite variety), and bird-lovers of all abilities (43).  Yes, it was a wee bit chilly for starters and standing in the rays of the rising sun was preferable to standing in the shady patches, but before we got too far along people began to peel off a layer or two and the bird activity increased rapidly.  

We were greeted at first by much activity on the part of the House Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and American Robins; but at the same time, there were only about four geese, two cormorants, and no ducks or raptors out by the lake, but these numbers increased as the day warmed up being eventually capped off by a playful pair of Bald Eagles soaring overhead.

Soon we had a few Broad-tailed Hummingbirds zipping around, a Wilson’s Snipe calling from out in the cattails, and several singing Song Sparrows along the creek and wetlands.  We, then, got to spend time getting great looks at four different species of swallows – Tree and Violet-green which nest in old woodpecker cavities or nest-boxes, and Barn and Cliff which use mud to construct their nests often on cliffs, buildings, or under bridges, and all of which apparently enjoy taking advantage of insects out over the lake.  Other great birds included a few Evening Grosbeaks, a single Cassin’s Finch, a single Pine Siskin, a slew of Red Crossbills, and a couple of Vesper Sparrows.

All this activity was followed up by a time of renewed coffee, lots of great breakfast options, and many congenial conversations around a couple of picnic tables.  Of course, we didn’t ignore the birds while enjoying ourselves, and we had great, close views of a single Brewer’s Sparrow, some White-crowned Sparrows, two Savannah Sparrows, and a single Green-tailed Towhee.

Having been rejuvenated by a bit of sustenance, one final stroll before calling it a day yielded a single Gray Catbird.  Really, a most rewarding morning with so many familiar faces and several new faces to get to know.  Yay, Dawn Chorus!  Why do we only do this once a year?

Evergreen Lake, May 6, 2023 
41 species
43 Participants

Canada Goose  12
Mallard  8
Mourning Dove  2
Broad-tailed Hummingbird  4
Wilson’s Snipe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  14
Great Blue Heron  2
Turkey Vulture  2
Bald Eagle  2
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)  3
Steller’s Jay  1
Black-billed Magpie  2
American Crow  3
Black-capped Chickadee  2
Mountain Chickadee  4
Tree Swallow  6
Violet-green Swallow  16
Barn Swallow  4
Cliff Swallow  8
White-breasted Nuthatch  1
Pygmy Nuthatch  17
Gray Catbird  1
American Robin  12
Evening Grosbeak  3
House Finch  28
Cassin’s Finch  1
Red Crossbill  13
Pine Siskin  1
Brewer’s Sparrow  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed)  1
White-crowned Sparrow  3
Vesper Sparrow  2
Savannah Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  6
Green-tailed Towhee  1
Yellow-headed Blackbird  1
Red-winged Blackbird  90
Common Grackle  21