Tweets,

Today, I got my best view ever of a Merlin. I was watching Harbor Seals
through a spotting scope at the Duckabush River estuary when a Merlin
swooped in and landed on a root wad about 20 meters away. With a
small adjustment of the scope, I had a wonderful close-up look at
the bird that lasted for 5 or 10 minutes.

Last week I had a pretty good view of a Merlin that landed on a
telephone pole along Capitol Blvd near 18th in Olympia. A few moments
and crows came by to harass it and it flew right over my head.

Add to these two the two I watched on the Hamma Hamma estuary last month
and I have had an uncommon number of Merlin encounters (for me anyway).

Also enjoyed a near-bachelor group (9 males, 1 female) of Black Scoters
off the Hamma Hamma river last week. They put one in the mood for Halloween,
all black with orange snozzes. Two pairs of Harlequin Ducks were about
and four of the odd-ball geese that I am now thinking are some derivation
of a Graylag goose. They resemble the first-winter White-fronted Goose
but I am skeptical that I would find four first-winter birds together with
no adults about. They are hanging with a flock of Canada Geese most of the
time.

A few Barrow's Goldeneyes have arrived and lots of Buffleheads.

Chum Salmon running strong. Saw two taken by Harbor Seals today.

Kelly McAllister