Hi Tweets-
Today began at dawn for me , hoping to see a last bird for my King Co
year. As it turned out, it was definitely a good day.

MaryFrances Mathis and I headed out early to the north beach of
Discovery Park to look for the COMMON REDPOLL found yesterday on the
CBC. After almost 2 hrs of looking, we finally lucked out. A single
Common Redpoll was hanging out in a mixed flock of Goldfinch &
Siskins, right around the pond on the north beach trail.

Next, we went up to the area north of the south parking lot to poke
around. Extreme luck came into play here, when we stumbled on a
LONG-EARED OWL roosting in a tree.

Very nice pair of King Co birds to cap the year with -- And enough to
push me up to 239 species for the county year, a couple beyond the
old King Co year list record -- thanks to all who have helped with
the encouragement, tips and suggestions.

In need of a reminder of how much more there is to be confused by in
the bird world, I spent the afternoon at the mouth of the Cedar River
in Renton, watching the gulls.
The SLATY-BACKED GULL appeared and stuck around for a couple hours,
giving all who showed up good looks.
In addition, we had a bird that looks to be the 1st year version of
last winters pesky Glaucous/Iceland Kent gull. If you couldn't get
enough of the adult version of this puzzle last year, have fun with
this one! It shows almost pure white wings projecting well beyond the
tail, and fine brown streaking on the pale back. Size is smaller than
Glaucous-winged, but bigger than a Thayers. Bill was two-toned and
pretty sharply demarcated. Sigh...

Eventually, a 2nd winter Glaucous Gull made an appearance to wind up the day.

Good birding in 2007,

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA



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