A full-sun morning with a light to moderate east wind. Lake looked choppy. 4 degrees to start and 8 degrees when I left. It seemed quiet upon initial approach from the rear parking lot. Walked the wide path closest to the bluff and didn't see anything until I got almost to the end of it where the grounds open up. First sighting was of a Winter wren south of the path and therefore somewhat into the sun. Couldn't get a focus lock with all the intervening branches. On the other side of the path (favourable light) at the same spot there were several WT sparrows. Following the cable fence that parallels the bluff there was no activity. I entered the wooded area west of the common grounds and then proceeded into the bush away from the path that leads to Livingston Rd. Once stationed, I saw another Winter wren, which then disappeared as suddenly as it appeared ... no shot. Lots of RWBBs, one Downy WP (very close), one WB nuthatch (very close), a few Red-bellied woodpeckers (not so close), a Pileated woodpecker (into the sun and not close), a few N. flickers. I then returned toward the wide woodland path and spotted a Cooper's hawk perched in a tree. I then headed west to the grassy & muddy side trail, took that northward to the boardwalk, whereby I headed east again toward the Inn complex. Nothing interesting visible on the boardwalk but I did hear a Yellow warbler. After the boardwalk I headed south again and saw the Pileated once again, but still much too far away. Returned to the parking lot and saw one YR warbler and one Hermit thrush. No sign of either the tohwhee, thrasher or YBSS. Not as many people in the park today. One bird photographer besides myself, a plaid-breasted lesser 600mm was my guess. He couldn't get his glass in position fast enough once he had spotted the Pileated woodpecker. This muscular species gets easily excited.
