Hi Tweeters,

Despite the death of a female snowy owl at the Nisqually Delta, 3 snowys were still hanging out in clear view, as seen from the fishing dock at Luhr Beach. Lots of ducks (and hunters) out on the water. At least a dozen horned grebes were also out and about. 1 red-tailed hawk and an immature bald eagle were roosting in trees not far from the owls. All seemed to be ignoring one another. Several other birders were on hand to enjoy these beautiful birds.

I made a quick trip out to Potlatch SP yesterday afternoon. No rock sandpiper was present at that time. A quick stop at the Oyster Bay lookout between Olympia and Shelton off Hwy 101 revealed hundreds of dunlin and large numbers of black-bellied plovers in the mud flats. I didn't have time to scan for a closer look.

One final note. I spotted a male Cassin's finch yesterday near one of my bird feeders (although it never actually ate from it). Is this an unusual siting for the winter in the South Puget Sound area?

Lonnie Somer
Olympia, WA
wheelermombi at comcast.net