Jason, I'm not attacking the area; I think it's great, and that's why I like to take people on walks around there. But there has clearly been a decline in numbers and variety. Even last year I was able to find Redheads, Canvasback, and Ring-necks in the southern basin, but the area had relatively few ducks yesterday.

I know how to find the Green-winged Teal, but they just weren't there. However, another friend has said she did find them two weeks ago "just around the corner" in the Tumwater Historical Park on the other side of I-5. Also, I know the goldeneyes are often at the south end of the southern basin, but they weren't there. I'm hoping for better luck on Saturday.

My experience with Percival Cove is different from yours. I always expect to find Mallards in the northern shallows, Hooded Mergansers just south of them, and lots of Wigeons in the larger area farther south. But no such luck yesterday. It's taht kind of upset in the usual pattern that makes me wonder what's going on.

Since we live on Long Lake, I know about the broader distribution of water birds in the area. We have our usual huge flock of Coots (and why none at Capital Lake?), Wigeons, and other usual goodies. But for the bird walks I do, I need to find goodies at Capitol Lake or out near KGY.

I haven't heard about serious troubles in the Canadian-Alaskan region where most of these birds breed, but if the whole planet is generally going to hell and becoming more polluted with hormonal disruptors, I guess this is what we can expect to see here in the winter. But I really had been hoping the next generation or two would actually be able to see birds other than Crows and English Sparrows. <sigh>

Burt Guttman
The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA 98505 guttmanb at evergreen.edu
Home: 7334 Holmes Island Road S. E., Olympia, 98503

________________________________

From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu on behalf of Jason Paulios
Sent: Tue 11/23/2004 10:12 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Olympia Waterways today



Burt and Tweeters, I feel the need to rise to the defense of my adopted
downtown Oly haunts (at least half-heartedly). I will begin by saying that
I have to listen to Keith Brady talk about the "good old days" quite often,
so I'm aware of the decline of Western Grebes, Red-necked Grebes, Barrow's
Goldeneyes and others in East and West Bay. And it's nothing like it was a
decade ago (or so I'm told and have read). BUT...

Green-winged Teal - These are often in the area you are describing but I
would never say they could be "counted on". If you scope the far shoreline
opposite the interpretive center they can be found hiding out there. If you
get to the interpretive center ponds after the walkers have emerged from
their Outbacks, you will not find the more skittish waterfowl. This pond
has been great for close looks at Hooded Merganser lately, there was a
juvenile Green Heron here for over a week in October (a good spot for this
species locally in winter months). You can also try the park on the other
side of I-5 at the base of Tumwater Falls, sometimes the teal head over here
for some peace and quiet (assumed).

Ring-necked Ducks are usually on Percival Cove. If they aren't here then
that's because they have jumped across the road to join the Scaup flocks
closer to the railroad.

Earlier this month (I haven't been getting out much lately) Common
Goldeneyes were at the south end of the lake. They are also usually (last
winter) at the railroad crossing. I usually see Barrow's Goldeneye from the
KGY site looking west towards Reliable Steel, against the shoreline. I
haven't noticed any Barrow's yet, but then I haven't been out to look.

Last month had at least two Redhead in with the scaup flock on the south
end. At the same period there were Canvasbacks on both ends of the lake.
Also check the north end of the lake from Marathon Park for grebes
(double-digit P/Billeds, 1 Eared has been around, Horned, 1 Western last
month, 1 Clark's last month).

As for variety, if I want to see lots of different waterbirds in a day I
usually do a lap of Capitol Lake, check North Point/KGY quickly and then
buzz out to Luhr Beach. With this route you have the possibility of seeing
all expected waterfowl plus Thurston toughies like L/T Duck, Black Scoter,
Harlequin Duck and Smew (o.k. I've been daydreaming lately). Kelly
McAllister might be able to fill us in on the larger Thurston freshwater
lake numbers, though I've found access difficult at most.

Jason Paulios
Jpaulios at earthlink.net
Olympia, WA


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