Saturday, 12/31/05

Inspired by reports of Ancient Murrelets I headed over to Marrowstone Island and Pt. Townsend yesterday afternoon. I dipped on the ANMU, encountered flooding and got soaked but, all in all, had a good day.

Edmonds:
Close in, on the north side of the ferry, I had great views of a Common Loon, Pelagic Cormorants , 4 Black Scoters in a small mixed flock with Surf Scoters and 2 Pigeon Guillemots.

Marrowstone Island:
Oak Bay County Park was flooded but a good spot to see flocks of Brant Geese and Northern Pinhead Ducks.

In a steady rain at Mystery Bay Park I discovered all those missing American Robins! They were everywhere, foraging on the grass and perched in trees and shrubs all around the park. I stopped counting at 100. They shared the area with a N. Flicker and about 8 Golden-crowned Sparrows.

After leaving the Island, just before returning to the main road, I stopped at another day park (name?) and found about 40 Common Goldeneyes, 18 Buffleheads, 8 Harlequin Ducks and 8 White-winged Scoters.

Happy Birding in the New Year,
Ann Marie Wood
Mountlake Terrace
annmariewood at comcast.net
425-697-2961