It was blustery with driving rain on Sunday at the Marina. Not many
different species of birds visible, but I noticed something curious
amongst the huge raft of wintering American wigeon.

A few, not many, of these ducks were body-surfing the waves coming in. I
assumed that it was just an enery-saving strategy for birds to come in to
shore. But, there were a fair number of ducks swimming to shore, and
most would paddle the calmer water between the surf crests, then turn and
face the crest, pass through it, then turn and resume swimming toward shore.

A much smaller number of ducks were riding the wave crests as far as they
could, then would turn and pick up another crest for the next ride. Not
all of the surfers stayed on the shore when reaching it. Very curious
and entertaining. Wigeons are endearing as it is with their beautiful
plumage and "soft-talking."

There is also a single coot (there is almost never such a thing as a
single coot) wintering in the saltwater near the outlet of Des Moines Creek
with the resident flocks of beggar-bird mallards.
I need to consult my Bent's book on waterfowl, but does anyone have any
comment about coot social behavior or wintering patterns around the
southeastern part of the Sound?

Also, our local family of GBH's haven't been around for 2-3 weeks. I
expect the juveniles to disperse, but can anyone comment on local
or seasonal wandering of great blue herons in King County or the
southeast Puget Sound region? It seems, I recall seeing one or more
staying around our marina all last winter. Anyone know of any banding
programs that have included tracking this species? Should those of us who have
an interest in monitoring locally common birds be looking for bands?

No other changes in numbers or species of wintering birds near the Des
Moines Marina as of this date, but observing conditions during the time I
could check were challenging, intense squalls-small-craft
warning-challenging!

Till when I see it; it's great that more people are monitoring/reporting
common bird visitation and behavior from the various neighborhoods, work
places and local areas. As the saying goes, "The truth is out there."

Maureen E. Ellis
Toxicology Group at Roos 1
DEH, SPHCM, Box 354695
Univ of WA
Seattle, WA 98195
me2 at u.washington.edu