These Dawn Chorus gatherings are truly great!  We had mild morning temperatures and were initially greeted by much vociferous activity on the part of House Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and American Robins.  Not only did our group of 40 participants end up eventually with a wonderful variety of birds (43 species), but, as usual, we had an equally diverse offering of palate-pleasing breakfast foods and coffee.

The birding highlight of the day, a flock of sixty Willets, was immediately noted before the sun had even come up.  And, though prompted to fly off by some young men fishing illegally in the northside restricted area, they eventually returned to their island and spent the rest of the morning there.  Other birds noted early on included six species of ducks, a few Double-crested Cormorants, and a single Western Grebe.

However, as things warmed up, so did the bird activity.  More cormorants arrived from wherever they had spent the night, an adult Bald Eagle cruised by, and a Red-tailed Hawk was observed off to the southwest of the lake where, I believe, they have nested with some regularity.  An Osprey took an unsuccessful deep dive near the unperturbed Willets, and as it flew up to the east vigorously shook itself sending a cloud of illuminated water droplets coursing through the air.

In short order we had a few Broad-tailed Hummingbirds zipping around, a Great Blue Heron joining the Willets, a trio of Say’s Phoebes sallying out for breakfast from remnant cattail stalks, a Wilson’s Snipe calling from deep in the wetland, and several singing Song Sparrows along the creek and wetlands.  

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 a nice close view of a single Steller’s Jay.

Having been rejuvenated by a bit of sustenance, we made our way over to the south side of the lake, where we promptly held a swallow seminar with Barn, Tree, and Violet-green Swallows diving through the numerous airborne insects.  We, then, got great looks at Spotted Sandpipers, several Pygmy Nuthatches, a few Pine Siskins, a couple of White-crowned Sparrows and individual Western Bluebird, American Goldfinch, and Dark-eyed (Gray-headed) Junco.

Absolutely, a most rewarding morning with so many familiar faces and several new faces to get to know.  Yay, Dawn Chorus!

Evergreen Lake 
May 4, 2025 
43 species
40 participants

Canada Goose  20
Northern Shoveler  4
Gadwall  3
Mallard  6
Green-winged Teal  4
Lesser Scaup  2
Common Merganser  1
Mourning Dove  2
Broad-tailed Hummingbird  5
Wilson’s Snipe  1
Spotted Sandpiper  5
Willet  60
Western Grebe  1
Double-crested Cormorant  16
Great Blue Heron  4
Turkey Vulture  4
Osprey  1
Bald Eagle  1
Red-tailed Hawk  3
Belted Kingfisher  1
Downy Woodpecker  1
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted)  4
Say’s Phoebe  4
Steller’s Jay  2
Black-billed Magpie  1
American Crow  8
Common Raven  1
Mountain Chickadee  2
Tree Swallow  8
Violet-green Swallow  3
Barn Swallow  13
Pygmy Nuthatch  11
European Starling  6
Western Bluebird  1
American Robin  15
House Finch  22
Pine Siskin  4
American Goldfinch  1
Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed)  1
White-crowned Sparrow  2
Song Sparrow  10
Red-winged Blackbird  50
Common Grackle  40