Hello Tweets,

This afternoon my mother and I checked a few locations between 3pm-3:45pm along the Steilacoom waterfront between Sunnyside Beach Park and the McNeil/Anderson Island Ferry Terminal at Steilacoom in search of Ancient Murrelets and we were very successful in locating up to 8 birds approxiametely 120 yards offshore north of McNeil Island visible in our spotting scope from 35-60 power,but the birds were quite difficult to locate at times due to them riding in rougher current lines with calmer waters nearby. The birds with good numbers of nearby Bonaparte's and Mew Gulls were observed from both the Sunnyside Beach Park and the Robert W. Anderson Jr. Memorial Park in Steilacoom(north of the Steilacoom Ferry Terminal)with limited views. Due to the recent sightings of Ancient Murrelets from the Dash/Browns Point area in Pierce Co. we wanted to pursue them at other locations further south,so it may be possible they may wander even further south possibly to Nisqually Head(Nisqually Reach)near the Nisqually NWR,which seems like a likely location if conditions are right,so Thurston Co. birders be on the lookout!

Due to lighting conditions at Steilacoom this afternoon which were from the side we had fairly good good conditions for viewing,but not as favorable than at Dash Point Park,so a morning visit may be more appropriate if making a visit to this location(s). Good numbers of Brandt's Cormorants were also noted offshore amongst large gull feeding flocks.A single CLARK'S GREBE was immediately seperated upon our arrival from 6 Western Grebes with a nearby large flock of 280+ Western Grebes south of the mouth of Chambers Creek,which was visible from Sunnyside Beach Park. Other notable species that were found during our visit to Steilacoom included:

3 Red-throated Loons
12 Common Murres
7 Rhinoceros Auklets


On our way home a single adult "Peale's"Peregrine Falcon was visible at the mouth of Chambers Creek perched atop a dead tree,as were 8 Barrow's Goldeneyes.

Also of note for the day include a pair of Western Scrub Jays in Lakewood and our 3 resident Anna's Hummingbirds in our yard that remain active at our two hummingbird feeders.

Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net