Budd Inlet's East Bay is hosting fewer waterbirds this winter than in the
previous three winters, although the discrepancy is less noticeable now than
it was in November. The number of waterbird species on surveys is also lower
than "usual". Here's what I mean:
(I hope these line up...)

Average number of waterbirds tallied during February
Year 93 94 95 96
No 85 65 53 37

Average number of species
Year 93 94 95 96
No 8.9 12.0 10.3 8.1

As mentioned last month, the near-complete absence of scoters and Barrow's
goldeneyes is largely responsible for these lower-than-usual numbers. This
year has also been "poor" for some of the less-frequent species; Western
Grebes, Canvasbacks, and Ruddy Ducks have not yet entered the bay during
surveys.

On the up side, Rhinocerous Auklets popped in yesterday for the first time
this winter, 22 Black-bellied Plovers were spied in the last shafts of sun
on the 13th, and the Willet continued to grace the pilings until at least
mid-month.

The City of Olympia is about to make public its plans to revegetate the
bay's eastern shoreline. Their plans include pulling out the invasive
blackberries and putting in native trees and shrubs. A public forum was held
last night and the 30-page plan should be out for public review in a couple
of weeks.
--
Scott Richardson
NE Seattle
salix at halcyon.com