Hi Tweets,

I arrived at the fish farm dock near Fort Ward State Park on South
Bainbridge Island yesterday morning at 8:30 a.m., the first to
arrive. I had passed snow driving from Kingston to Bainbridge via
Port Madison and worried about whether I had brought enough layers.
(I had not!). The fish farm guys were preparing to head out to the
pens and continued to be accommodating of birders. I was alone until
9 a.m. when Roland Nelson and his friend John arrived. Then three
others, including Michael Willison arrived. So we had scopes
scanning in various directions. We met Emmett the California sea
lion who has been hanging around that dock for several years. He
practically launches himself out of the water to get to you. And he
does seem to respond to the name Emmett. He distracted us from very
cold fingers and toes while we continued to search for the gull.
Most gulls were either on the fish pens or on the Manchester side of
Rich Passage. We were having difficulty locating even any
Bonaparte's Gulls but there were a good number of Mew Gulls.
Finally, right at 10:30 a.m., I located the bird to the west of the
pens, sitting on the water with several Mew Gulls. I yelled and
everyone still on the dock got a satisfactory view before the bird
flew over the pens and off toward Manchester, at which point we lost
it. Just then others were showing up with scopes. I was so chilly I
left. Two hours was enough time on the dock. I hope others were
able to see the birds yesterday. It obviously continues and should
be a nice holiday gift for those still planning to go to Bainbridge.
I don't advise showing up as early as I did. It was too long in the
cold. Take plenty of layers and consider wearing well-insulated
footwear on the dock. I would think 9:30 a.m. would be early
enough. (And don't forget to bring a sardine for Emmett!)

Season's Greetings,

Carol Riddell
Edmonds