Drenching Sat and windy Sun: Wintering water birds are down to a
"handful" now, about 10% of the regular wintering population.
A single Double-crested cormorant remains and one Brandt's
was seen in the water off the fishing pier; both still in basic plumage.
A few small rafts of both Surf and White-winged scoters and a scattering
of Red-breasted mergansers (females only) are still here
plus a very few,approaching alternate dress, Horned grebes.

Six Brant geese were seen across the bay near the Des Moines Yacht Club
end of the jetty. There was a small, mixed group of Western grebes and
Coots, an odd association, right in among the boats near the double-hoist
public launching area. I rarely see either species this close to the
slips and the commotion, perhaps this was preferable to the wild water
just beyond the confines of the Marina. Also, I'm sure much work needs to
be done to understand mixed species association of this sort, whether a
convenience due to compatible feeding strategies or a predator foil,
whatever.

With respect to passerines and other small birds, a single Barn swallow
nest has been established under the wharf, this species' usual nesting
colony area, of the public launching (double-hoist) area. The
Violet-green swallows are much more established with multiple nests among
the condo and apartment complexes in the Marina village proper.

I have not yet been able to specifically locate the Great Blue heron nest,
but I believe it is not far east of the Senior Center bldgs in Des Moines
Beach Park. The Red-tail hawks abandoned nesting here; perhaps the huge
(about 300) local population of Crows using the the same tree(s) and a
nearby Bald eagle couple always looking for easy and plump nestlings were
deciding factors! The GBH nest has become Eagle fodder in past seasons.

Well, it's getting to be the slow season for birding at the Marina, but
the gull population will become more mixed, so I get leisurely practice
sorting amongst the ages and species. And, on occasion, something
interesting may show up on the water, such as Marbled murrelets. I'll
keepa watch out.

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