Hi Tweeters,

I finally got a chance to see the King Eider at
Semiamho today. I had to wait 3 hours for his
appearance, got drenched twice but it was worth it.
On my way out a fellow birder pointed out a female
Long-tailed Duck out of the water on a log, now I know
they have darkish legs. The mammal highlight here is
probable Harbor Seal breeding activity. I'm not sure
it is breeding season but I wouldn't be surprised if
it is. The normally so placid seals were wrestling
around in the water with a lot of splashing.

I finished my day of birding at Fir Island at the
Skagit Game Preserve at the end of Wylie. It was a
fantastic visit even if I didn't see my hoped for
Swamp Sparrow. In the parking lot a birding couple
pointed out a Northern Waterthrush to me, which I got
diagnostic looks of, thank you. I hope they got to
see the next highlight. I walked the dike near the
boat launch for a ways and was thrilled to see a flock
of about 12 Pine Grosbeaks, at least two of which were
bright red males. I got fairly decent looks at them,
they were actively working Doug fir cones so not
sitting still. On my return trip I saw about half a
dozen Pine Grosbeaks. I don't know if they were part
of the same group or not but I was able to scope them
and look at them closely. No bright males in this
group but both nice russet and I guess you would call
them greenish or olive-ey. So I wonder are there two
groups or did the one split?

Mammal highlight here was watching the leaves move and
move until a smallish mole popped out and dove back
in. Good thing I wasn't a Red-tailed Hawk or it would
have mole for Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas and Good Birding to All
Kathy
Roosting in S King County

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