Hi Tweets,

Just thought I'd let folks know that the Dickcissel was still at Norm =
Schut's place in Ocean Shore as of 3:30pm today (24th Feb).

The birds at his feeder seem a lot more skittery than the brazen finches =
and siskins in my back yard. There, at his feeder, I saw in addition to =
the dickcissel:

Mallard - 7 (Four males, 3 hens - *At* the feeder! They come flying in =
and feed in his fenced yard)
Crow - 4
Golden-crowned Sparrow - 2
White-crowned Sparrow - 8
Red-winged Blackbird - 2 males
House Sparrow - 4
Black-capped Chickadee - 2
House Finch - eleventeen

Also an imm. female(?) Sharp-shinned Hawk was in a neighbor's pine tree =
as we were leaving the Schut place.

Went down to the Grays Harbor north jetty with the kids and dog, few =
birds, though as the near end of the jetty was crowded with people =
watching waves. There were quite a few groups of Sanderlings and a few =
black turnstones in the drift wash north of the jetty, but as it was =
high tide and the waves were washing away the foredune (at the base of =
some expensive beach home lots), I didn't get any sort of count (Sorry, =
Stuart).

Muttering derisively about the 'flatlanders' on the jetty who didn't =
have enough sense to stay back away from the waves washing over the =
rocks, we threw some sticks for the dog. Then, chasing waves with Jamey =
(our 6-year old), a 'sneaker' caught us at (my) knee level and knocked =
our feet out from under us. Seconds (or was it hours?) later, after =
going under and rolling once or twice, we slogged back to the car, cold; =
soaking wet, and sand from eyelid to toenail, but safe. A good lesson =
for the boy (no mention as to which one...) about the power of the =
Pacific. I felt pretty chagrined and humbled (this boy knows better =
than to pull that kind of stunt - especially since I'd just made a big =
deal to the kids about folks not being careful around the waves...)

Just a reminder to all to be careful around the high surf.....

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net