Hi:
I returned Friday after a week of birding in the Seattle area with my
Bro-inlaw Reg Jackson. We visited Montlake 3 times in search of the Palm
Warbler and struck out each time. The birding seemed slower than in previous
years with Montlake and Marymoore quieter than I have come to expect. The
dog wasteland in Marymoore is becoming more barren each year I visit and
the field just outside this area is also seeing lots of illegal off leash
activity and will be soon to follow. We also observed 2 large husky type
dogs jump through the fence into the area that is being reclaimed so the
fence needs a rethink.
We finished the week with 87 species with 3 lifers for me including
finally finding a Huttons Vireo. My other lifers were at Ocean Shores where
we spotted a Sooty Shearwater Soaring over the incredible surf breaking over
the Jetty. Also at the Jetty were a couple of Ruddy Turnstones with 6 Black
Turnstones huddled in the rocks of the Jetty. I am sure that we missed birds
there but I am out of my element when I get to the shore and spent as much
time watching the surf and the Seals or what ever they were as much as the
birds. I will have to get someone to guide me on one of my spring trips and
teach me Gull and shorebird I.D.
Randy Rawluk
Fort St. James B.C.
rawluk at fsjames.com