Greetings All

The highlight of today's pelagic was two Manx Shearwaters, one giving
excellent views. These are, I believe, the Pac NW's first winter records.

I took a quick spin around Brady Loop on my way home. Found one flock of
about 150 Canada/Cackling Geese. The vast majority were Duskys (115+), a couple
with red neck collars. Three were Cacklers; the views were such that I couldn't
discern between minima and taverneri. There were one or two parvipes
candidates, and a couple that just defied any ID (possibly pale Duskys--- the
occasional Dusky can approach moffitti in color)..

As odd as it may seem, Great Tits are not rare in captivity. Or rather,
they're not rare as escapes. They've bred in IL and, I believe, WI. Other escapes
have been found in Quebec and and several states. Some have been traced to
specific captive origin, others haven't. All have been of a European race --
highly unlikely as a natural vagrant. The Vashon (and before it Normandy Pk)
sightings are both of European Great Tits. Hard to imagine a less likely natural
vagrant to WA among birds that are not endangered and capable of flight.

The AK record was, I believe from Little Diomede Island just off of Siberia
and was of the Asian race. Interestingly, it's not in the ABA or AOU checklist.
I'm actually wondering if the bird was on Diomede (which is Russian-- or I
may have the two islands reversed. One's Russia, one's the US I believe).

Cheers
Steven Mlodinow
Everett WA
SGMlod at aol.com