Greetings Tweets:

I usually participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count in my own yard in
Ocean Shores, but today I chose instead to walk out on the Oyhut Game Range
(also in Ocean Shores) because I dearly wanted to be able to tally the
gyrfalcon that has been hanging around out there.

Naturally, my greed practically guaranteed I would NOT see it, and I didn't,
but I got to see a lifer for me..a pair of Red-breasted Mergansers. Gorgeous
male with a dark green head, white collar, streaked brown and white
breast..and that orange bill! I was appeased.

Meanwhile, if you are out visiting the coast this holiday weekend, keep an
eye out for the gyr; female, 3rd year, silver FWS on the right leg and a red
plastic band with the number 5 in white letters on her left leg. She has
been seen by me or our survey team members 5 times since the first week in
February.

Good birding,
Dianna Moore
Ocean Shores, Wa.
dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com