Cliff Drake wrote:
> I haven't seen or heard a Kingfisher at the Chittenden Locks for a couple
> of weeks, FYI. Also, the gull population had dwindled drastically. There
> are lots of GW Gulls circling overhead, but almost none hanging around on
> the tie-off walls. Cormorants and Grebes too, are in short supply. (But
> there were three Red-necked Grebes yesterday) I don't know if any of
> this is related, but I thought I'd mention it.

I wonder if it's all related to the heavy rains we recently received. Not sure
about the gulls, but the other birds mentioned--kingfisher, cormorant,
grebes--either require or favor clear water for foraging. With rainfall
carrying material into rivers and streams, and eventually into Puget Sound, I
suspect some areas become temporarily impractical for fish-eating birds.
--
Scott Richardson
northeast Seattle
salix at halcyon.com