I wish I could be helpful. I can't add anything useful to Jason's information. Lately, the only Thurston County lake with
greater numbers and greater waterfowl diversity is Lawrence Lake which has a nice shoreline trail extending east from the
public boat launch on the south side of the lake. I know that Lawrence is out-of-range for a bird walk in the downtown
Olympia area. But, check the lake out sometime. I frequently get swans on Lawrence Lake during my January counts.

Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia, Washington
Reply to: mcallkrm at dfw.wa.gov

On Tue, 23 Nov 2004, Guttman, Burt wrote:

> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 13:22:23 -0800
> From: "Guttman, Burt" <GuttmanB at evergreen.edu>
> To: Tweeters at u.washington.edu
> Subject: [Tweeters] Olympia waterways today
>
> In preparation for my Saturday BHAS birdwalk around the downtown Olympia area, I did a brief survey. Rather disappointing in some ways. The northern basin of Capitol Lake had big flocks of Scaup, both kinds, Buffleheads, some Ruddy Ducks, and a few of the usual dabbling ducks. The southern basin had more of the same, with a huge congregation of Wigeon at the south end (I didn't notice any of the Eurasian flavor). The marshy pond just south of the lake had a great showing of Shovelers, Gadwall, and Hooded Mergansers, but none of the Green-winged Teal that I always count on. I didn't see a single Ring-neck, Goldeneye, Redhead, or Canvasback, which were around in good numbers last winter; I always like to show them as further examples of the bay and sea ducks. Hardly anything at the Port of Olympia peninsula, by KGY, except the usual cormorants way out. Very little along West Bay Drive. What in hell is happening to everything? How am I gonna give people an excellent lesson on categories of ducks and identification? If anyone has seen a greater variety of water birds (not just ducks) around this area, please let me know.
>
> Burt Guttman
> The Evergreen State College
> Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu
> Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503
>
>
>