Finally, found a single male Spotted towhee singing on the north slope at
Des Moines Beach Park; they're coming back after weeks of none. Our first
Barn swallow of the season was spotted about 12:30PM (04-12) on the bluff
above the north end of the Marina parking area (fishing pier end.) Our
pair of Great Blue herons are apparently attempting to nest.

There were between 35 and 40 Brant geese feeding on the bright green
algae as the tide receded at the Beach Park. A few of these geese were
BANDED. This is what I could see from about 30 meters with 8-power binos,
right and left legs are designated from the bird's point of view as it
looks forward (like people do):

(1) 2 geese had multiple (2 or 3) bluish or dark greenish bands
with large whitish letters/numbers on the left leg and a single
silvery band on the right leg. I needed a scope to really make out the
letters/numbers. Part of markings on one goose MAY have been "15A".

(2) 2 geese had multiple, bright yellow bands on the right leg with a
single silvery metal band on the left leg. I could make out a
horizontal "Z" (or a 7?) on the top yellow band of one goose.

(3) 1 goose had reddish multiple bands with dark letters/numbers on the
right leg with a single metal band on the left leg. I could not
decipher what any of the markings were on this bird. The bands looked
old and/or worn.

Anyone know where these geese may have been banded and any other info?
Thanks,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA