Today I birded in Mason County with some long-time friends. This morning I
picked up Mark Ahlness and Janeanne Houston in West Seattle. As I drove up
to their house, 2 ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS were at their feeder. In just a few
minutes, they showed me their RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD. We then headed for Gig
Harbor to pick up John McMillan. John reported the Brown Booby at the
Tacoma harbor last year.

On to Theler Wetland we went, near Belfair. We were surprised to find a
HOUSE WREN at the refuge gate. Next to it was a BEWICK'S WREN. We later
had WINTER and MARSH WRENS as well.

Also at the gate were RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET, BROWN
CREEPER, PINE SISKIN and DOWNY WOODPECKER.

The weather remained dry, calm and warm through the afternoon. A COOPER'S
HAWK made a couple of appearances. We had nice looks at male PURPLE
FINCHES. A handful of DUNLIN worked the shoreline.

The highlight of the day came at 4:30PM when the light was still very good.
We came around a bend in the trail and flushed a BARN OWL that quickly flew
out of sight. We retraced our steps and found the owl working the fields.
It would perch for a few minutes and then take flight. We watched for
several minutes. The fog then came in as did the darkness, but we were
satisfied.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA