Subject: Thanksgiving weekend, '98, Des Moines Marina, WA
Date: Nov 30 14:29:48 1998
From: Maureen Ellis - me2 at u.washington.edu


There was certainly some WEATHER in our area over these 4 days, but
enough lighter rain/sunbreaks for me to survey a couple of times. On the
AM of the 26th and also the PM of the 29th, the woodlands near the Senior
Center and the yards of surrounding neighborhoods were an explosion of
small feeding birds (no Sharp-shinned around at these times) with the
majority being COMMON bushtits plus SONG sparrows, both BLACK-CAPPED and
CHESTNUT-BACKED chickdees, several red-shafted morph NORTHERN flickers,
one each DOWNY woodpecker and RED-BREASTED nuthatch, both BEWICK'S and
WINTER wrens, a scolding female SPOTTED towhee, flocks of AMERICAN
goldfinches and PINE siskins (not seen these species here in quite some
time) had invaded the yards, mostly at the feeders. And all variations of
the "Oregon" DARK-EYED juncoes were present, probably by the hundreds.
Many ROBINS and HOUSE finches were in the yards and on the wires plus the
usual too many starlings and house sparrows.

There were GOLDEN-CROWNED kinglets with a scattering of RUBY-CROWNED
kinglets everywhere. GREAT BLUE herons were hanging out at the tops of
conifers even at the center of town plus roosting on the marina rooftops.
A very high soaring adult BALD eagle and also a lower gliding REDTAIL hawk
were over the marina parking areas and the small bay just north of the
fishing pier. All the regular winter water birds are here, SURF and
WHITE-WINGED scoters in number ranging from hundreds to dozens,
repectively. A few RED-NECKED and WESTERN grebes were foraging close to
the pier. There are now dozens of BARROW'S and a fair number of COMMON
goldeneyes (more than previous season), and scatterings of HORNED grebes
plus a single PIED-BILLED grebe (stays among the boat slips.) What was
conspiculously ABSENT were the usually hundreds of Am. wigeon ducks, any
merganser species or loons. The only other ducks were the semi-feral
MALLARDS and about ten COOTS. There are also fewer (maybe 3-4)
DOUBLE-CRESTED cormorants wintering than previous season.

I did see this morning while riding the bus across the 1st South Bridge
that there are 6-8+ BUFFLEHEADS in the runoff ponds just SE of the bridge.

One more note: I have been successful in being a first time homebuyer, a
thankfully sunlit condominium near Seahurst Park in Burien, only about 15
minutes north of my present home. I'll be relocating after the Christmas
holidays; so, there will be both Seahurst Park and Des Moines Marina to
survey, YaHoo! I believe there are other Tweeters who report from
Seahurst occasionally also. There is a trailhead running through the
Seahurst forest trees to the Sound very close to my building, and
birdwatching is easily available across the tree tops of Seahurst
forest from my 4th story living room windows on the dreariest, most
non-outdoorsy of winter days. Count yer blessings!
Cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA

"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-