Because the Fill is probably the most intensely birded site in Washington, and because it serves as a habitat island in the middle of a big city, more rarities have been found here per acre than at any other site in the state. The following is a list of all the bird species seen at the Montlake Fill since record-keeping began in the 1890s. It has been compiled with the help of numerous birders over the years (see list of contributors at the end). I wish to thank especially the people who kindly reviewed this record: Dennis Paulson, Tom Aversa, Evan Houston, Matt Bartels, Brett Wolfe, and Bob Vandenbosch. Despite the great care we have all taken to be complete and accurate, mistakes might have been made (as the politicians say). I encourage readers to contact me with additional sightings and/or corrections.

Greater White-fronted Goose: Uncommon winter resident. More common as migrant. High count of 50 flying over, May 4, 2010 (CSi).

Emperor Goose: One record August 1988 (KA).

Snow Goose: Occasional winter resident and spring migrant. High count: 200 flying over, October 8, 2007 (CSi). Most recent sightings: One February 9 and 10, 2010 (SLC, CSi). One immature March 17, 2010; two April 19 and 20, 2010; one October 11, 2012; 48 flying over October 18, 2012 (CSi).

Brant: One record, here for half a day, late March 1986 (KA).

Cackling Goose: Uncommon winter visitor and migrant, sometimes in large flocks.

Canada Goose: Common resident and breeder.

Mute Swan: Occasional introduced resident and breeder. Three May 15, 1980; three September 29 and November 1, 1980; two December 11, 1980; two with young May 27, 1982; four December 27, 1982; one April 8, 1983; two with young June 11, 1983 (ER). Two attempted to nest, July 1989 (CSi). A pair with two young July 16, 1995 (DP). Latest sighting: one December 17, 1998 (WOS/TAv).

Trumpeter Swan: Formerly rare winter visitor, now becoming regular. Two flew over December 15, 1984 (KA). One October 16, 1998 (BV). Two November 5, 2007 (WOS/NLr). One November 10, 2007 (WOS/JB). Fifteen arrived December 22, 2008; eleven (eight adults, three immatures) stayed on the lake for months (many observers). Three immatures returned as adults in 2009 and 2010 (many observers). Six adults in winter 2010-2011 (CSi and many observers). As many as 21 adults and 4 juveniles in winter 2011-2012 (many observers).

Tundra Swan: Rare winter visitor. Reported in the 1940s (HL). One late October through mid-November 1970 (FK). Three December 17, 1998 (WOS/TAv). One near shellhouse December 22, 2008; 20 flying over March 6, 2010 (CSi). One arriving December 10, 2010 (EvH) and staying the winter (CSi and other observers). One November 14, 2012 (DPa). One December 8 and 9, 2012 (EvH, CSi).

Wood Duck: Common (though sometimes reclusive) resident and breeder. Bred more commonly in the 1940s (HL), diminished after habitat loss, now occurs again as swampy woodlands increase.

Gadwall: Common resident and breeder.

Eurasian Wigeon: Uncommon winter resident. Usually one or two present each year.

American Wigeon: Abundant winter resident, rare in summer.

American Black Duck: Rare introduced visitor, now extirpated from the county. One male from December 29, 1979 through June 10, 1980; one male November 7, 1981 (ER).

Mallard: Common resident and breeder.

Blue-winged Teal: Regular spring and summer visitor.

Cinnamon Teal: Common summer resident and breeder. Occasional winter resident.

Northern Shoveler: Common winter resident and sometime summer breeder.

Northern Pintail: Uncommon visitor, recorded every month (ER, CSi). Occasional winter resident in small numbers.

Green-winged Teal: Common winter resident, returning by late July (BtW). Occasional summer resident (ER). Eurasian subspecies (Common Teal) is a rare winter visitor: One between January 27 and April 27, 2000 (CSi). One January 4 to May 7, 2001 (BV; WOS/TAv, JB). One January 11, 2004 (SMa). One January 29, 2010 staying until April 20; one January 13, 2011, staying until April 26 (CSi).

Canvasback: Uncommon winter resident.

Redhead: Found regularly in the fall (usually most common in November) during the early 1970s (ER, DP). Now uncommon visitor in winter or spring. Most recent records: Up to five seen throughout winter of 2009-2010; one male overwintered 2011-2012, occasionally accompanied by a female (CSi, EvH). One January 13 through February 5, 2012; one pair February 8, 2012 (CSi).

Tufted Duck: One May 3, 1996 (WOS/JHe). One male February 3 through at least 12, 2012 (CSi, MVe). Seen again April 13, 2012 (KS).

Ring-necked Duck: Common winter resident.

Greater Scaup: Fairly common winter resident.

Lesser Scaup: Common winter resident.

Surf Scoter: Rare visitor. One adult male February 11, 1980; one immature male October 7, 1980 (MC).

White-winged Scoter: One record, nine birds September 22, 1939 (MC).

Long-tailed Duck: Rare visitor. One March 26, 1981 (ER). One March 4, 1990 (DP). One April 1990 (CSi). One October 29, 2006 (WOS/JBr).

Bufflehead: Common winter resident. Occasionally one stays through the summer.

Common Goldeneye: Uncommon winter resident and rare summer visitor. Two records for June: one in 1981, one in 1983 (ER).

Barrow’s Goldeneye: Rare visitor. One January 21, 1981 (ER). Two April 25, 1988 (KA). One February 21, 2007 (BtW). One December 31, 2009 (AdS). Two males in breeding plumage February 5 through at least March 11, 2012; one pair March 25, 2012 (CSi).

Hooded Merganser: Common winter resident and uncommon summer breeder.

Common Merganser: Uncommon winter resident and common spring migrant, as large numbers stage in the lake and bay before migrating.

Red-breasted Merganser: Rare spring migrant. More common in the 1940s in the fall (HL). Five in April 1982 (ER). One April 15, 2008; two April 19, 2009 (CSi). Two October 8, 2009 (EvH). One November 4, 2012 (CSi).

Ruddy Duck: Uncommon winter resident, formerly abundant: 500 January 1983 (ER). Rare summer visitor: one July 5 to 26, 1980; one August 19 to 29, 1980; three August 5, 1982; one August 12, 1982 (ER). Successful nesting 1987 through 1989 (KA). One July 25 through September 18, 2008; one June 28, 2012 (CSi).

California Quail: Formerly common resident and breeder, now extirpated, although rare visitors still appear occasionally. One April 8, 2009 (DPa). One calling May 5 through 9, 2009; one February 2 and 19, 2010; one February 26, 2012 (CSi). One May 26, 2012 (GP).

Northern Bobwhite: One record September 11, 1997 (WOS/TAv).

Ring-necked Pheasant: Formerly common resident and breeder, now extirpated. Last reported: One seen near Surber Grove July 21, 2009 (MaH).

Red-throated Loon: Rare visitor. One March 20,1943 (ER). Occasional winter visitor (DP).

Common Loon: Rare visitor. Reported regularly in the winter in the 1940s (HL). One flyover July 16, 1980; one in Union Bay April 17, 1982 (ER). One flyover April 16, 2008 (WOS/TAv). One in Union Bay October 30, 2008; one in Union Bay July 28, 2012 (CSi).

Pied-billed Grebe: Common resident and breeder.

Horned Grebe: Uncommon winter resident.

Red-necked Grebe: Rare visitor. One November 1979; one June 7, 1982 (ER). One September 4, 2007; one October 2, 2007; one December 1, 2007 (BtW). Two November 27, 2008 (CSi). Two December 23, 2008 (EvH). One February 14, 19, 21, 2009 (EvH, CSi). One March 13 and 29, 2009 (EvH). One February 3, 2010; one in breeding plumage April 30, 2011; one April 7, 2012 (CSi).

Eared Grebe: Rare visitor. More common in the 1940s, arriving in fall (HL). Occasional winter visitor in 1970s (FK). One February 28, 1981 (ER). Two October 28, 1986; one September 18, 1989 (KA). One October 29, 2011 (EvH, CSi). One September 25, 2012 (CSi).

Western Grebe: Uncommon winter visitor and migrant.

Clark’s Grebe: One record, two calling July 21, 1989 (KA).

Double-crested Cormorant: Common winter resident.

American Bittern: Former uncommon resident and breeder (HL), now scarce. Most recent sightings: One September 11, 2006 (MtB). One February 4, 2007; one October 5, 2007 (BtW). One July 25, 2008 (CSi). One July 7, 2009 (KL). One August 19, 2009; one juvenile August 31, 2011 staying for some days (CSi). One August 11, 2012 (CSi, AMc).

Great Blue Heron: Common resident and occasional breeder. Successful nesting in 1989 (KA). New heronry established on UW campus near Drumheller Fountain in 2008 with four nests; 41 nests reported in 2012 (PCa). High count: 53 March 1, 2012 (CSi).

Great Egret: Rare visitor. One June 16 to July 2, 1987 (KA). Two May 15, 2000 (WOS/RR).

Cattle Egret: Rare late fall or winter visitor. One November 11 through 18, 2004 (WOS/FB, KAn; MtB, CSi). One November 5 through 9, 2007 (BtW; WOS/NLr, CSi, CPe).

Green Heron: Uncommon summer resident and breeder. First state nesting record, 1939 (HL).

Black-crowned Night-Heron: Rare visitor. Two reported in the 1940s (HL). One December 5, 1974 (FK). One August 15 to September 3, 1987 (KA).

Turkey Vulture: Uncommon spring and fall migrant, only flyovers. One May 7, 1983 (ER). One October 3, 1985; one April 1, 1986; one November 4, 1987 (KA). One September 24, 1998 (TAv). One April 29, 2007 (BtW, CSi). Eighteen September 26, 2008; two April 8, 2009; one April 15, 2010; one June 7, 2011; one March 7, 2012; six September 29, 2012 (CSi).

Osprey: Uncommon summer visitor. One or two come by regularly in summer and stay briefly to catch fish.

Bald Eagle: Common resident and breeder. Current nest on Talaris site nearby.

Northern Harrier: Common visitor in the 1940s (HL). Several single records in 1980s (ER). In the 2000s, usually at least one seen each year, sometimes in winter or (more commonly) in fall.

Sharp-shinned Hawk: Occasional visitor, more common as fall migrant or in winter.

Cooper’s Hawk: Uncommon visitor, more common in fall and winter. One summered in 1985 and 1987 (KA).

Northern Goshawk: Rare winter visitor. One February 3 and 19, 1972 (FK). Several sightings in winter of 1981 to 1982 (ER).

Red-shouldered Hawk: Rare visitor. One August 7, 2006 (CCx). One February 5, 2010 (CSi).

Red-tailed Hawk: One to three present in winter. One pair stayed year-round in 2008 (CSi).

Rough-legged Hawk: Rare visitor. Two flew over in late October 1974 (KA). One February 3, 1982 (ER).

Golden Eagle: One record, March 21, 2010 (CSi).

American Kestrel: Formerly regular fall visitor (KA). Twenty-seven records in the early 1980s (ER). Now scarce. Most recent records: One August 12, 2007 (CSi, WOS/JB). One September 11 and 21, 2010; one April 4, 2011; one March 10 and 18, 2012 (CSi, GOO).

Merlin: Occasional visitor year-round.

Peregrine Falcon: Occasional visitor year-round.

Virginia Rail: Uncommon summer resident and breeder in cattails; sometimes overwinters. At least nine nests in 2011; twelve in 2012 (CSi). Unusual habitat: one calling in Surber Grove March 22, 2009; two in same location March 23, 2009 (CSi).

Sora: Uncommon summer resident and breeder. Most recent sightings: One May 26, 2010 (EvH). One juvenile August 28, 2010; one adult May 1, 2011 (CSi). One juvenile August 20, 2011 (TK). One April 14, 2012 (DSu).

American Coot: Common resident and rare breeder.

Sandhill Crane: Rare visitor. Two October 12, 1980 (ER). Three September 17, 2007 (WOS/BtW). One September 27, 2009 (EvH). One May 27, 2012 (JB, DH, PCa).

Black-bellied Plover: Regular migrant in 1940s (HL). Now rare. Two May 14, 1979; one May 5, 1980, one April 6 and 9, 1983; August 1 and 8, 1983; one first week of September 1983 (ER). One September 12, 1985 (KA). One April 22, 2004 (WOS/EH).

American Golden-Plover: One record, September 14, 1981 (DP).

Semipalmated Plover: Rare migrant. High count of five May 13, 1986 (KA). One May 31, 1996; one July 17, 1997 (CM). One August 6, 2000 (WOS/JB). Three August 7, 2000 (CSi). One April 29, 2007 (WOS/PC, MEg). One May 8, 2008 (BV).

Killdeer: Common resident and breeder. High count of 20 on January 22, 2012 (CSi).

Black-necked Stilt: Rare migrant. One May 12, 1988 (KA). One April 29, 1993 (WOS/TB).

American Avocet: Rare migrant. One May 28, 1980 (ER). One March 31, 1988 (KA). One May 30, 1998 (WOS/BB).

Spotted Sandpiper: Uncommon resident and regular migrant. Bred commonly in the 1940s (HL) and annually in the 1970s (KA). Last reported nesting: 1987 (KA).

Solitary Sandpiper: Uncommon spring and fall migrant; usually at least one present briefly each year.

Greater Yellowlegs: Occasional spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant.

Lesser Yellowlegs: Occasional spring migrant, uncommon fall migrant.

Upland Sandpiper: One record, August 18, 1998 (WOS/TAv).

Whimbrel: Rare visitor. One May 4, 1974 (FK). One in late September 1975 (KA). One May 3, 1981 (ER). One April 30, 1994 (WOS/DMc).

Sanderling: One record, two juveniles September 25, 1986 (KA).

Semipalmated Sandpiper: Formerly uncommon but regular fall migrant, now rare. Five spring records: One May 25, 1974 (FK). One May 13, 1976 (DP). One May 8, 1982 (ER). One May 10 to 12, 1996 (CM; WOS/JiF). One May 10, 2000 (WOS/TAv). Most recent fall records: One July 22, 2008 (EvH). One July 14 and August 15, 2010 (CSi, DPa). One August 8, 2011; one July 16 and 17, 2012 (CSi, DPa, BlB).

Western Sandpiper: Common spring and fall migrant.

Least Sandpiper: Common spring and fall migrant. Rare winter visitor: one January 9, 1982; one February 5 through 9, 1982 (ER).

Baird’s Sandpiper: Rare fall migrant, more common in the past (KA). Highest count: three September 10, 1989 (KA). One spring record: May 9, 1985 (KA). Most recent sightings: August 14, 2007 (CSi); August 15 and 19, 2007 (BtW).

Pectoral Sandpiper: Rare spring and fall migrant, although usually at least one is present briefly each year. Slightly more common in fall than in spring. Most recent sightings: One July 22, 2008 (EvH). One May 15, 2009; one September 12 and 13, 2010; (CSi, TK). Four May 18, 2012 (DS). Three May 19, 2012; one September 25, 2012 (CSi).

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper: One record September 29, 1996 (WOS/KA), last seen October 14, 1996 (CM).

Dunlin: Occasional winter visitor, occasional spring migrant. High count: more than 40, November 5, 2006 (CSi).

Stilt Sandpiper: Rare visitor. One July 29, 1965 (FK). One August 30 to September 8, 1981 (ER). Two September 13, 1981 (EH). One August 29, 1989 (KA). One August 31 to September 1, 1996 (CM, CSi). One August 17 and 18, 1997 (CM, BV).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper: One record, stayed seven days, reported in the 1940s (HL).

Ruff: One record September 1, 1995 (WOS/RSt).

Short-billed Dowitcher: Rare spring and fall migrant.

Long-billed Dowitcher: Uncommon spring and fall migrant.

Wilson’s Snipe: Uncommon fall, winter, and spring resident.

Wilson’s Phalarope: Uncommon spring migrant; usually at least one present each season. High counts: Four June 5, 2003 (WOS/MtB). One female, two males May 24, 2008 (CSi). One fall record: August 1, 1987 (KA).

Red-necked Phalarope: Rare migrant. More common in the 1940s (HL). High count: 65 on May 20, 1980 (ER). Most recent records: One August 9, 2009 (EvH). One August 20, 2009 (KL, JP). Two August 21, 2009, remaining for some days; four August 23, 2009 (KAS, EvH, CSi). One August 11, 2010 (DPa, CSi).

Bonaparte’s Gull: Formerly common spring and fall migrant, now rare. Most recent sightings: One June 4, 2008 (DPa). One August 29, 2009 (EvH). One November 16, 2010 (CSi). One in breeding plumage April 24, 2011; one in breeding plumage July 15, 2012 (CSi).

Black-headed Gull: One record April 19, 1998 (SMa, CSi).

Franklin’s Gull: One reported in the 1940s (HL) for first county record. Occasional in fall (DP). Most recent sighting: one August 29, 2009 (EvH).

Mew Gull: Common fall and winter resident.

Ring-billed Gull: Common winter resident, less common in summer.

Western Gull: Rare visitor. One March 11, 1988 (KA). One January 21, 2009 (CSi). One February 11, 2009 (EvH). One January 1, 2010; one April 18, 2010; January 26, 2011; one January 10 and 17, 2012 (CSi).

California Gull: Uncommon fall and winter visitor.

Herring Gull: Rare fall and winter visitor. Usually at least one per year since 2009 (CSi).

Thayer’s Gull: Rare winter visitor. One late, May 31, 1982 (ER). Usually at least one per year since 2007  (BtW, CSi).

Glaucous-winged Gull: Common resident. Nested in summers of 1984 and 1985 (ER).

Caspian Tern: Uncommon summer visitor, though present every summer.

Black Tern: Rare visitor. One August 22, 1972 (FK). Two May 28, 1975; one late May 1976; one early June 1977 (KA). One June 8, 1980 (ER). One May 14, 2000 (CSi).

Common Tern: Rare fall migrant. Eighteen August 19, 1980; two September 2, 1980; 25 September 13, 1982 (ER). Flock of 37 September 2, 1985; another flock of 26 September 3, 1989 (KA). Three September 10, 2003 (WOS/SMa).

Rock Pigeon: Common resident in University Village, commonly seen as flyovers and as foragers in playfields and in burns.

Band-tailed Pigeon: Uncommon resident in the 1980s (DP), now uncommon visitor. Most recent sightings: One May 16, 2012; five August 6, 2012; two August 13, 2012 (CSi).

Eurasian Collared-Dove: Rare visitor. Usually at least one each year since May 10, 2008 (CSi, GOO).

Mourning Dove: Uncommon visitor. Most recent sightings: One seen off and on throughout July, August 2009 (EvH, CSi, and many observers). One May 24, 2010; two June 5 (and one June 10), 2010; one October 12, 2011; one December 29, 2011; one May 23, 2012; one June 6, 2012 (CSi).

Barn Owl: Rare visitor. One October 1972 (KA). One September 4 and 16, 1980; one March 26, 1981; two May 4, 1981 (ER). One seen regularly in late July 2008 (CSi and many observers). One October 9, 2008 (MtB). One August 16, 2009 (DPa).

Great Horned Owl: Rare visitor. One March 18, 2007 (MFM, CSi). One November 7, 2007 (MtB, TM).

Snowy Owl: Rare visitor. Two wintered in 1973 to 1974 (FK). One seen in winter of 1975 to 1976 and 1977 to 1978 (KA). One March 3 to 9, 1979 (ER). One December 11, 2005 (WOS/MtD).

Barred Owl: One October 23, 2011 staying for some days (WoW, CSi). One seen off and on from September 2 to 27 2012 (MM, LeJ, CSi, DPa).

Short-eared Owl: Occasional visitor, now rare. Most recent sightings: One October 19, 2006 (BtW). One November 25, 2006 (WOS/TAv). One January 17, 2007 (BtW). One November 13, 2008 (EvH). One October 23 and 24, 2011 (WW, FR). One February 2, 2012; one June 8, 2012 (EDo). One August 10, 2012 (CSi).

Northern Saw-whet Owl: Rare visitor. One October 14, 1995 (WOS/PHa). One November 28 through December 3, 2009 (KAS, CSi, JAS, and many observers). One in atrium of Center for Urban Horticulture October 17, 2012 (KMu).

Common Nighthawk: Common summer resident in the 1940s (HL). Nesting reported in the early 1970s (FK). Now rare. One June 3, 1988 (KA). One September 20, 2002 (WOS/SMa). One August 27, 2004 (WOS/SMa). One September 18 and 19, 2006 (WOS/PCr; EvH). One June 8, 2008 (MtB). One September 11, 2010 (CSi). One June 9, 2012 (KP). One June 14, 2012 (BlB).

Common Poorwill: One record May 20 to 25, 2006 (WOS/LKi, AdS).

Black Swift: Uncommon spring migrant and summer visitor.

Vaux’s Swift: Common summer visitor.

Anna’s Hummingbird: None noted prior to the early 1980s (ER, KA). Now common resident and breeder.

Rufous Hummingbird: Reported in summers in 1940s (HL). Rare visitor (ER) prior to the explosive growth of Himalayan Blackberry in the 1990s. Uncommon summer resident and breeder in the 1990s (CSi). Now much scarcer visitor.

Belted Kingfisher: Common resident. Possible breeder.

Lewis’s Woodpecker: Rare visitor. One September 3 to 10, 1984 (ER). One flying over August 25, 1987; one September 1, 1989 (KA).

Red-breasted Sapsucker: Rare visitor. One early November 1982 (ER). One September 17, 1987 (KA). One December 5 and 9, 2007 (BtW). One March 25, 2009 (EvH). One March 6, 2010; one December 1, 2010; one August 30, 2011 (CSi).

Downy Woodpecker: Common resident and breeder.

Hairy Woodpecker: One record, heard only (HL).

Northern Flicker: Common resident and breeder. Occasionally, a yellow-shafted appears and contributes to the gene pool.

Pileated Woodpecker: Rare visitor. One May 30 and 31, 2000 (Tw/DWP). Two July 14, 2002; one November 9, 2003 (CSi). One March 4, 2007 (BtW, EvH). One April 5 and 21, 2009 (EvH). One April 25, 2009 (CSi). One May 1, 2010 (WoW). One May 4, 2011 (CSi). Pair sighted off and on from February 3 to December 8, 2012 (CSi).

Olive-sided Flycatcher: Rare visitor. One May 20, 1981 (ER). One August 27, 2003 (WOS/TAv.) One August 29, 2008 (CSi). One August 10, 2009 (JeB, CSi). One August 30, 2010; one May 12, 2011; one August 30, 2011; one June 6, 2012 (CSi).

Western Wood-Pewee: Regular migrant and sometimes breeder.

Willow Flycatcher: Common summer breeder in 1940s (HL). Became just a visitor, most common in fall migration. Now appears to be breeding in small numbers (CSi).

Least Flycatcher: One record, August 17, 1998 (WOS/KA).

Hammond’s Flycatcher: Rare migrant. One April 19, 2008; one May 2, 2009 (CSi). One May 8, 2009 (EvH). One April 27, 2010; one May 2 to 4, 2011 (CSi).

Gray Flycatcher: One record, August 27, 2004 (WOS/SMa).

Dusky Flycatcher: One record, May 17, 2011 (CSi).

Pacific-slope Flycatcher: Uncommon migrant.

Eastern Phoebe: One record, December 8-10, 2012 (CSi, JPs)

Say’s Phoebe: Uncommon early spring or fall migrant; usually one or two present each year.

Ash-throated Flycatcher: Rare visitor. One August 31, 1975 (EH). One August 31, 2009 (CSi, KL).

Tropical Kingbird: One record, October 27, 2007 (WOS/EH).

Western Kingbird: Uncommon spring or fall visitor. Most recent sightings: Three April 22, 2009, two staying for several days (CSi, KAS). One May 13, 2009, remaining for at least two days after (DPa, CSi). One August 19, 2009 (MBJ). One June 8, 2010 (many observers). One May 9, 2011 (JW). One May 29, 2011 (AK). One April 29, 2012; three June 14, 2012; one June 15, 2012; one July 29, 2012 (CSi).

Eastern Kingbird: Rare visitor. One June 17 and 25, 1982; one July 6, 1982 (ER). One June 12, 1994 (CPe). One June 15, 1996 (WOS/RR). One August 9, 1997 (WOS/TAv). One June 7, 1998 (WOS/BB). One July 18, 1999 (WOS/TAv). One August 1, 1999 (WOS/ST). One May 29, 2005 (WOS/TAv). One June 10, 2005 (WOS/LrB). Two June 19, 2005 (WOS/DoM). One May 29, 2006 (CSi, MtB). One June 12, 2011 (CSi). One June 11, 2012 (GP).

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher: One record August 2, 2003 (WOS/SMa, CrM).

Loggerhead Shrike: Rare visitor. One May 25, 1975 (DP). One April 10, 1989 (KA). One March 31, 2004 (WOS/DMv). One April 12, 2008; one March 4 and 5, 2009; one April 5, 2011 (CSi).

Northern Shrike: Occurred regularly in October in the 1970s and 1980s (KA). Now uncommon winter visitor; usually one present each year. Most recent sighting: one November 14, 2008; one October 17, 2011 (CSi). One April 13, 2012 (GT, DPa). Two (an adult and a juvenile) seen off and on from October 14 to November 9, 2012 (CSi, DPa).

Cassin’s Vireo: Rare migrant. One May 1, 1981 (ER). One June 18, 1987 (KA). Flock on September 3, 2003; one September 5, 2004; one September 3, 2008; one May 23, 2009; one September 10, 2010; one May 12, 2011 (CSi).

Blue-headed Vireo: One record September 8, 1995 (WOS/KA).

Hutton’s Vireo: Rare visitor. One April 15 and 19, 2007 (BtW). One October 28, 2008 (KL). One May 1, 2011 (IU). One September 20, 2011 (CSi).

Warbling Vireo: Regular migrant in spring and fall in small numbers.

Red-eyed Vireo: Rare migrant. Four August 19, 1995 (WOS/RR). Two August 24, 1995 (WOS/DB). One August 22 and 29, 1996 (WOS/KA). One May 17, 2008; one September 2, 2009 (CSi). One September 9, 2010; three September 10, 2010 (KAS).

Steller’s Jay: Common resident and breeder, reliably found in Yesler Swamp.

Western Scrub-Jay: Rare visitor. One September 24,1998 (WOS/TAv). One October 8, 2005 (Tw/JBr). One September 26, 2008, observed for a few days (CSi). One September 21, 2009, staying through the winter (KG, CSi). One October 1, 2010, joined by as many as six until May 6, 2011 (CSi and many observers). One September 29, 2012 (CSi).

American Crow: Common resident and occasional breeder (CSi).

Common Raven: One record March 11, 2009 (CSi).

Horned Lark: Scarce migrant (usually very late fall), seen one or two dates each year up to 2000s. Now rare. Most recent sightings: one December 4 and 5, 2005 (MtB; WOS/TAv, JB, MiH). One September 12, 2009 (CSi, TK).

Purple Martin: Common summer visitor and fall migrant in the 1940s (HL) up to the 1970s (KA). Now uncommon migrant. Most recent sightings: One August 12, 2009 (EvH, GTh, CSi); two seen later that day (EvH). One August 20, 2009 (AdS). One June 6, 2010; four September 7, 2010, six September 21, 2010; 30 or more August 16, 2011; 50 or more September 19, 2011; two August 15, 2012 (CSi).

Tree Swallow: Common summer resident and breeder.

Violet-green Swallow: Common summer resident and breeder.

Northern Rough-winged Swallow: Uncommon migrant; a few seen every year.

Bank Swallow: Rare migrant. One May 30 through June 4, 1980; one September 4, 1980; one April 24, 1981 (ER). One August 21 and September 1, 1993 (WOS/RTh). One May 12, 1998 (WOS/BB). One August 9, 2003 (WOS/SMa). One May 11, 2004 (WOS/SMa). One August 27, 2004; one March 19, 2008; three August 3, 2010; one May 22, 2012; one September 5, 2012 (CSi).

Cliff Swallow: Common summer resident and breeder.

Barn Swallow: Common summer resident and breeder; occasionally present in other seasons, though not as year-round resident.

Black-capped Chickadee: Common resident and breeder.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee: Uncommon visitor. Most recent sightings: one March 6, 2009 (EvH). One February 21, 2011 (SR). Two July 9, 2011 (EvH). One August 9, 2012 (CSi).

Bushtit: Common resident and breeder.

Red-breasted Nuthatch: Uncommon visitor, gradually becoming more common; when seen, usually in Yesler Swamp.

Brown Creeper: Uncommon resident and breeder.

Bewick’s Wren: Common resident and breeder.

House Wren: Rare visitor. One August 7, 2004; one August 18, 2007; one May 9, 2009; one August 25, 2010; one April 20, 2012 (CSi).

Pacific Wren: Uncommon winter resident.

Marsh Wren: Common resident and breeder.

Golden-crowned Kinglet: Uncommon visitor, most often seen in winter and during migration.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet: Common winter resident.

Mountain Bluebird: Rare migrant. One October 18,1984 (ER). One May 14, 1994 (WOS/TP). One September 28, 2007 (WOS/MkW). Two females April 3, 2009 (CSi). One female April 12, 2010 (CSi).

Townsend’s Solitaire: One May 5 and 6, 2012 (JiE, AMc).

Swainson’s Thrush: Uncommon summer resident in the 1940s (HL). Recorded most years in the 1970s and 1980s (KA). Now rare. Most recent sightings: One April 19, 2008 (CSi). One April 7, 2009 (CSi, EvH). One May 15, 2010; one May 22, 2011; one August 31, 2011; one May 17 and 29, 2012 (CSi).

Hermit Thrush: Uncommon migrant and winter resident. Most recent sightings: One April 20 and 21, 2009 (CSi, EvH). Two April 24 and 25, 2009 (CSi). One October 16, 2009 (EvH). One April 26, 2010; one April 21, 2011; one May 7, 2011 (CSi).

American Robin: Common resident and breeder.

Varied Thrush: Rare visitor. One October 15, 1980 (ER). Most recent sightings: One January 5, 2007; one October 11, 2007 (BtW). One April 13, 2008; one April 18, 2009; one September 22, 2010; two January 1, 2011; one February 26, 2012; one April 4, 2012 (CSi).

Northern Mockingbird: One record October 28, 1993 (WOS/KA, DB).

Sage Thrasher: One record May 11 through 24, 2002 (WOS/DP, CSi).

Brown Thrasher: One record June 12, 2011 (CSi).

European Starling: Common resident and breeder.

American Pipit: Uncommon visitor. Most common in September, October, April, and May; sometimes overwinters. High count: more than 60, September 16, 2006 (CSi).

Cedar Waxwing: Common when fruit is available; nested in 2008 (CSi).

Lapland Longspur: Regular fall migrant in 1980s (KA). Most recent sighting: October 6 through 18, 2007 (WOS/BtW, MiH, MtB, CSi).

Chestnut-collared Longspur: One record December 3 through 12, 1995 (MS, CSi, WOS/CM).

Snow Bunting: Rare visitor. One November 1975; one February 1976 (KA).

Northern Waterthrush: Rare migrant. One August 17, 1989 (KA). One August 30, 1998 (WOS/BV). One August 21, 2003 (WOS/TAv).

Tennessee Warbler: Rare migrant. One September 8, 1995 (WOS/KA) and again September 9 (WOS/GT). One August 19, 2009 (CSi).

Orange-crowned Warbler: Common migrant; sometimes overwinters (CSi).

Nashville Warbler: Rare migrant. One September 10, 1985 (KA). One September 25, 1994 (WOS/DMc). One September 10, 2005 (WOS/TKL). One September 30, 2005 (WOS/KA). One April 28, 2007; one April 26, 2008 (CSi). One May 10, 2008 (EvH). One May 12, 2008; one August 22, 2008 (MtB). One April 24, 2009 (CSi). One May 9, 2009 (Seattle Audubon Board Birdathon). One May 9, 2012 (CSi).

MacGillivray’s Warbler: Uncommon migrant. Most recent sightings: One May 21 and 30, 2008; one June 4, 2008; one August 12, 2008 (MtB). One August 19, 2009 (CSi, JeB). One August 15, 2010; one September 10, 2010; one August 10, 2011 (CSi).

Common Yellowthroat: Common summer resident and breeder.

American Redstart: One record August 26, 1988 (KA).

Yellow Warbler: Formerly bred in small numbers (KA). Now only a common migrant, although a singing male seen July 1, 2010 (CSi).

Palm Warbler: Rare visitor. One September 13 to 17, 1993 (WOS/EN). One September 20, 1998 (WOS/BB). One December 30, 2000 through April 15, 2001 (WOS/RL and many observers).

Yellow-rumped Warbler: Common migrant and winter resident. Both Myrtle and Audubon’s present.

Black-throated Gray Warbler: Uncommon migrant.

Townsend’s Warbler: Uncommon migrant. Most recent sighting: one May 23, 2009; one May 7, 2010; at least five May 22, 2011 (CSi).

Wilson’s Warbler: Common migrant.

Spotted Towhee: Common resident and breeder.

American Tree Sparrow: Rare winter visitor. One January 11 and 15, 1981; one October 15 and November 7, 1981 (ER). One October 21, 1993 (WOS/RTh). One October 24, 2008; one February 21, 2009 (CSi). Formerly more common, averaging one or two a year (KA).

Chipping Sparrow: Uncommon visitor. Most recent sightings: One April 28, 2007; three July 24, 2007 (CSi). One August 20, 2007 (MtB). One October 2, 2007; one November 18, 2007 (BtW). One August 3, 2008 (CSi). One April 7, 2009 (EvH). One April 14, 2009 (CSi). One July 11, 2010 (JL). One June 5, 2011 (CSi).

Clay-colored Sparrow: Rare visitor. One November 7, 1999 (CSi). One April 28, 2008 (MtB). One September 5 and 6, 2008 (WOS/JeB; CSi).

Brewer’s Sparrow: Rare visitor. One April 27, 1995 (WOS/CH). One September 22, 1998 (WOS/TAv).

Vesper Sparrow: Rare visitor. One April 18, 1973 (FK). One May 8, 1976 (KA). One September 23 and 29, 1981 (ER). One September 5 to 12, 1985; one September 11, 1986 (KA). One April 29, 1996 (WOS/MS). One April 21, 1998 (WOS/BB). One September 24, 2002 (WOS/MiH). One September 1 to 10, 2005 (WOSKA, TKL). One September 9, 2008; one April 5, 2009 (CSi). One September 2, 2010 (RL). One September 12, 2010 (CSi).

Lark Sparrow: One record August 12, 2007 (CSi).

Black-throated Sparrow: One record May 19, 1989 (KA).

Sage Sparrow: One record February 17 to 19, 1980 (EH).

Savannah Sparrow: Common summer resident and breeder. Occasionally lingers into winter.

Fox Sparrow: Uncommon winter resident.

Song Sparrow: Common resident and breeder.

Lincoln’s Sparrow: Common winter resident.

Swamp Sparrow: Rare visitor. One November 20, 1987 (KA). One seen frequently from November 20 through December 24, 1995 (WOS/DMc). One April 14, 1996 (WOS/DMc). One April 5, 2005 (WOS/ST, DnF). One seen frequently in April 2008 (CSi).

White-throated Sparrow: Rare visitor. One October 4, 1981 (ER). One October 26, 1984 (KA). One October 7, 1993 (WOS/RR). One September 30, 1998 (WOS/Tw). One October 26, 2003 (CSi). One March 19, 2007 (MtB). One April 18 and 19, 2009; one January 3 and 7, 2010; one January 15, 2011 (CSi). One September 29, 2012 (SR).

Harris’s Sparrow: Rare visitor. One November 10, 1974 (FK). One November 1992 (CSi). One November 23 through December 18, 1993 (WOS/LCo, RTh, DMc).

White-crowned Sparrow: Common resident (mostly gambellii subspecies in winter) and summer breeder (pugetensis subspecies).

Golden-crowned Sparrow: Common winter resident.

Dark-eyed Junco: Common winter resident, reliably found in Yesler Swamp but present elsewhere too.

Western Tanager: Uncommon spring and fall migrant.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak: One record June 1 and 3, 2003 (WOS/RSh, MiD).

Black-headed Grosbeak: Uncommon migrant and sometime summer visitor.

Lazuli Bunting: Rare visitor and breeder (evidence of breeding in 2008). One May 25, 1974 (FK). One June 29 and July 9, 1983 (ER). One August 19, 1988 (KA). One July 22, 1998 (WOS/TAv). One May 10, 2004 (WOS/SMa). One pair and possibly one other male, summer 2008; male first recorded June 1; immature recorded that year (CSi, EvH). Two males May 10, 2009 (EvH). A pair June 17, 2009 (JeB). One May 29, 2010; one June 15 and 20, 2012 (CSi).

Indigo Bunting: One record September 14, 1988 (KA).

Bobolink: Rare visitor. One May 25, 1979; one June 2 and 3, 1980; one May 28, 1981; one September 3 and 14, 1981 (EH). One August 15, 1982; one October 10, 1983 (ER). One October 1 and 2, 1995 (DP; WOS/BSu).

Red-winged Blackbird: Common summer resident and breeder; also common as migrant.

Western Meadowlark: Former common summer resident in the 1940s (HL), now regular visitor in spring and fall. Occasionally overwinters.

Yellow-headed Blackbird: Uncommon migrant. Most recent sightings: May 1, 2008 (MtB). One June 2, 3, and 4, 2008 (CSi, MtB). One April 28, 2009; one May 7, 2010; one May 4, 2011; a pair May 11, 2012; one August 25, 2012 (CSi).

Rusty Blackbird: Rare visitor. One October 5 through 8, 1993 (WOS/EN, KA). One September 24, 1994 (WOS/EN). One October 31 to November 5, 1995 (WOS/KA, EN).

Brewer’s Blackbird: Common summer resident and breeder, with a colony established in the bushes around the helipad.

Brown-headed Cowbird: Common summer resident and breeder.

Bullock’s Oriole: Uncommon summer visitor and occasional summer resident. One pair nested in 1986. Most recent sighting: One pair May 22, 2006; one female June 21, 2006 (CSi). One May 1, 2008 (MtB). One June 4, 2009 (EvH).

Gray-crowned Rosy-finch: One record, nine birds November 30, 1973 (FK).

Purple Finch: Occasional visitor, most often in migration but sometimes in other seasons. Most recent sightings: one September 23, 2008; one February 4 and 5, 2009; one April 1, 2011; one March 21 and 24, 2012; one October 11, 2012; one November 20, 2012 (CSi). Reported breeding, spring 2009 (JeB).

House Finch: Common resident and breeder.

Red Crossbill: Rare visitor, usually flyover. One flock of fifteen May 2, 1985. Flock of eight, April 19, 2009 (JeB). Large flock April 22, 2009 (EvH, CSi).

Common Redpoll: Rare winter visitor. A flock of 28 on February 3, 1982 (ER). One bird January 8, 2012 (GOO).

Pine Siskin: Uncommon visitor in spring, fall, and winter.

American Goldfinch: Common resident, less common as a breeder.

Evening Grosbeak: Uncommon visitor, usually flyover. Most recent sightings: Seven flying over and calling September 1, 2008 (EvH). One May 23, 2009 (CSi). One October 17, 2010; one October 21, 2010 (EvH). Small flock September 30, 2011; two August 26, 2012 (CSi).

House Sparrow: Formerly uncommon resident and breeder, now becoming scarce.

Observers
(listed alphabetically by last name)

KA Kevin Aanerud (note: most observations are from “Birds Observed at Montlake Fill, University of Washington Campus, Seattle, Washington, from 1972 to 1989” in Washington Birds 1: pp. 6-21, 1989; some observations are reports Kevin made to WOS since that date and are documented in WOS records); KAn Kathy Andrich; TAv Tom Aversa

JBr Jessie Barry; MtB Matt Bartels; BlB Blair Bernson; FB Fred Bird; BB BirdBox (telephone hotline, published in WOSNews); TB Thais Bock; LrB Lauren Braden; JB Jan Bragg; JeB Jeffrey Bryant; DB David Buckley; CBB Charlotte and Bill Byers

PCa Pam Cahn; PCr Peter Carr; LCo Luke Cole; CCx Cameron Cox; PC Paul Cozens

ED Ed Deal; EDo Ed Dominguez; MDo Mike Donahue; MiD Michael Dossett; MtD Matt Dufort

MEg Mark Egge; JEl Jim Elder; JiF Jim Flynn; DnF Dan Froehlich

PHa Pete Hammill; JHe John Hebert; DH David Hepp; HL Harry W. Higman and Earl J. Larrison from their book, Union Bay: The Life of a City Marsh (University of Washington Press: 1951); CH Chris Hill; MiH Michael Hobbs; MaH Marc Hoffman; EvH Evan Houston; EH Eugene Hunn (note: observations are either Gene’s personal records or observations noted in his book Birding in Seattle and King County. Seattle Audubon Society: 1982; revised 2012)

LeJ Lewis Johnson; MBJ Melinda and Bruce Jones

VJK Vicki and Jim King; LKi Lann Kittleson; TKL Tina Klein-Lebbink; AK A. Kopitov; FK Fayette Krause (from Birds of the University of Washington Campus by Fayette F. Krause (Seattle: Thomas Burke Memorial Washington State Museum, University of Washington, 1975); TK Tim Kuhn

NLr Norma Larson; RL Rachel Lawson; JL Jon Leland; KL Kathrine Lloyd

DMc Dan MacDougall-Treacy; SMa Stuart MacKay; TM Tom Mansfield; DoM Douglas Marshal; MFM MaryFrances Mathis; AMc Alex McKenzy; CM Chris McInerny (note: most observations are from “Shorebird Passage at the Montlake Fill, University of Washington, Seattle, 1996-1997,” in Washington Birds 8:19-28 (2002). Some observations are reports Chris made to WOS and are documented in WOS records); DMv Don McVay; RyM Ryan Merrill; MM Mary Metz; CrM Craig Miller; MC Robert C. Miller and Elizabeth L. Curtis, “Birds of the University of Washington Campus,” in The Murrelet 21:2, pp. 35-46 (May-August 1940); KMu Kathryn Murphy

EN Erica Norwood

GOO Grace and Ollie Oliver

GP George Pagos; DPa Doug Parrott; DP Dennis Paulson; CPe Curtis Pearson; TP Ted Peterson; KP Kevin Purcell; JPs John Puschock

SR Scott Ramos; ER Ellen S. Rattosh (from “Birds of the Montlake Fill, Seattle, Washington (1979-1983),” in Washington Birds 4, December 1995, pp. 1-34); FR Fred Rowley; RR Russell Rogers; LR Louise Rutter

DSu Doug SchurmanAdS Adam Sedgely; RSh Ryan Shaw; CSi Constance Sidles; MS Mike Smith; RSt Rose Stogsdill; BSu Bob Sundstrom

MT Martha Taylor; ST Sam Terry; GTh Gregg Thompson; RTh Rob Thorn; GT Greg Toffic; Tw Tweeters

IU Idie Ulsh

BV Bob Vandenbosch; MVe Mark Vernon; DVi Dick Viet

WOS Washington Ornithological Society (in”Washington Field Notes,” published in WOSNews each issue); MkW Mike West; WoW Woody Wheeler; DWP Deborah Wisti-Peterson; BtW Brett Wolfe