Observations for today's survey:

It was an overcast, but a fairly balmy, Nov Sunday, late afternoon, almost
no wind with high tide and quiet water. Fog was starting to mist across
the sound and the low sun cast a narrow shimmering avenue of light on an
otherwise dark water surface, surreal and so beautiful.

A raft of about 35, nearly all male, BARROW'S Goldeneyes were lazing about
just north of the fishing pier. This species has been seen as a fly-by
over the past 10 days, so I'm assuming they've been here for a few days.
A few basic-plumage PIGEON Guillemots and also SURF Scoters were observed
further out NW of the pier. No cormorants were seen today, but it was
late enough in the afternoon for them to already have departed for their
nightly roosting site somewhere on the east side of Vashon or Maury
Islands.

Birds are starting to settle in amongst the slips and the inside of the
rock jetty. Several WESTERN and HORNED Grebes (also numbers of these
outside on the main Sound), a single PIED-BILLED Grebe, a single female
BELTED Kingfisher, and one KILLDEER plus 3 GBH's were within the boat
areas. The strict do-not-feed-the-ducks policy at the Marina seems to be
honored by most people now........there is a small population of resident
feral Mallards, rather than the previous overwhelming numbers. Fewer
Glaucous-winged Gulls seemed to be here today also, maybe a thinning out
to those who can hunt for themselves. Both Boneparte's and Mew Gulls were
also flying about and feeding at the water's surface.

However, hundreds ("normal" for this time of year) of AMERICAN Wigeon were
on the water south of the Marina towards Saltwater Park along with
RED-NECKED Grebes and a few WHITE-WINGED Scoters. NO Eurasian Wigeon or
Common Loons were seen today within binoc distance at this location.
Alas, there was not enough time to survey in Seahurst Park this weekend.

Cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu U of WA & Burien-Seahurst Park, WA

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

"We are confronted with insurmountable opportunities." -Pogo-