Subject: Birds (and BIG fish) at Des Moines WA marina
Date: Apr 1 12:49:21 1996
From: Maureen Ellis - me2 at u.washington.edu



Folks,

Saturday, March 30, spotted a "gaggle" of ~ 15 Brant landing at and
foraging for a couple of hours on the beach little north of Des Moines
Beach Park. Also, saw a pair of adult bald eagles perched on the same
branch very close to each other. The birds were easily discernable
through binocs from the marina looking north to scan the Normandy
Park bluff-top snags. Does anyone know whether this pair of eagles may be
nesting along the Normandy Park/Burien coastline?

While I was surveying the grebes, scoters & goldeneyes from the fishing
pier, someone caught a remarkable ling cod. It must have weighed near 20
lbs, a very formidable-looking fish with sharp, pointed teeth, heavily
spined back and fins and a baleful glare at the crowd of us admiring it.
The fisherman who caught it held it long enough for people to see it, then
returned it to the Sound. (It is not the season for ling cod, and very
large fine for possessing one). I love a yummy fish dinner, but was happy
see this fierce, old veteran swim free. A good day.

Maureen E. Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu, Univ of WA and Des Moines WA, USA