Hello.........LATE MIGRANT ALERT!

Sat, Nov 27, while surveying near the public boat launch at the Des
Moines, WA, Marina, a single, weakly-flying SWALLOW crossed the north
parking lot and up into the trees above the marina condominiums. Its
generally all dark color (back-lit, but definitely not a white underside),
small size, shape, and longish tail (could not see the forks, but looked
matted) suggest a BARN SWALLOW. This is an extremely late date for this
species, or any swallow species. The only other species it could have
been is Cliff Swallow, even more unlikely! I am listing it as a Barn
Swallow.

Also seen yesterday, but not on the 21st..........a single DUNLIN within
the rock jetty of the marina proper cruising low over water, landing
briefly on the rocks. There were several Double-crested cormorants about,
plus one BRANDT'S Cormorant just outside the marina jetty and a COMMON
Loon. A male BELTED Kingfisher was hunting and calling a lot within the
boat slip area.

Seen only on the 21st, bit not the 27th: One MARBLED MURRELET in textbook
basic plumage, one RHINOCEROUS AUKLET, and two PIGEON Guillemots fairly
close to the end of the fishing pier. Also spotted a single RED-BREASTED
Merganser.

Seen on both the 21st and the 27th: The majority of the approx 500 birds
on the water north of the fishing pier are SURF Scoters with small numbers
of WESTERN, RED-NECKED, and HORNED grebes, a few BARROWS and a very few
COMMON Goldeneyes, 5-7 COOTS, and a smattering of WHITE-WINGED Scoters.
There are some 4-6 Great Blue Herons about that can be seen on the boat
shed roofs, in the waterfront trees and on the jetty. Within the jetty
water areas can be found a single PIED-BILLED Grebe plus Horned and
Western Grebes with Barrows Goldeneyes moving in. There seem to be many
fewer (about 20-25 now vs 70-85 in the past) Barrows ducks at the
marina this season.

South of the jetty toward Saltwater Park are at least 1500 AMERICAN Wigeon
with scatterings of BUFFLEHEADS, and mixed scoters. I could not see any
Eurasian wigeons with binocs.

Most all gull species, the Mews and Boneparte seen earlier in fall, were
not seen yesterday.......only the Glaucous-winged, some near-pure Westerns
and the expected hybrids. The local feral Mallard group is a small
population now with the dedicated don't-feed-the-ducks program at the
beach park. Many of the gulls and local crows were feasting on
large salmon carcasses along the beach. 30,000 Chinook youngsters are due
for release from the marina holding pens in Jan.........may they prosper
and multiply to nourish many other critters, including birds, Orcas and
us!

Cheers (off to Seahurst survey....may report later today),

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-