Hello everyone-

I just had an awesome day of birding! I got to see my first life bird
of the year, the much sought-after (by me anyway) LONG-TAILED DUCK aka
OLDSQUAW! It was a lone male in crisp winter plumage, which I think is
the more attractive plumage. Absolutely stunning. I saw it this
afternoon, from Boulevard Park on the waterfront near the Western
Washington University campus. Blvd. Park is on the southwest shore of
Bellingham Bay, if anyone wants more specific directions, I'll be glad
to supply them. The LTDU was seen from the pier at the northeast
corner of the park, about 100 yds from shore straight north of the
dock. I decided that I needed to get out of my dorm and get some air,
so I wandered down, with binoculars, of course, and I'm glad I did!
Other fun birds were close-range looks at both Goldeneyes, two of the
Scoters (not Black) Pelagic Cormorant, Black Turnstone, Common Loon,
and one Double-Crested Cormorant who had caught a sculpin whose head
was as
wide as the bird's bill was long. She eventually just gave up and let
it go, after trying to swallow it for 20 min. That's it, just wanted
to let you know the news. I'm headed to Larabee State Park tomorrow in
search of a N. Pygmy Owl, I'll let you know if I find anything.

Chris Duke
Bellingham, WA
dukec at cc.wwu.edu