Hello Tweets,

As of this evening at 5:30pm the adult SLATY-BACKED GULL at Gene Coulon Park in Renton was not observed making the 2nd day in a row of it's absence. During our visit very good numbers of gulls were noted from the north end of Gene Coulon Park beginning at 3:45pm and continuing to about 5pm,as they streamed in from a southeasterly direction. A single adult Bald Eagle also made an appearance as birders watched,as it chased and pursued a lone gull north of the park for several minutes before giving up. This action flushed up most of the existing loafing gulls near the park,which all soon resettled onto the water. Gull diversity this afternoon was predominately Glaucous-winged Gull(including hybrids)with a small assortment of Herring,Thayer's,Western,and Mew Gulls. Up to 3 California Gulls(1 adult,2 1st winter birds)were also present along with 1-2 adult Ring-billed Gulls.

Up to 30 birders were present looking for the Slaty-backed Gull,as conditions remained clear,crisp and nice,but on the cool side with some wind. Despite the bird having not been seen in 2 days it does not mean the bird has left the area and this message is in no way to deter any birders from continuing the search and thus only an update. We expect birders will continuing looking for the Slaty-backed Gull since this is a very familiar gull-watching location. We left several birders at 5:30pm that continued looking for the bird,as the sun began to set quickly so perhaps if the bird was seen after that point they will post their sightings.

The wintering group of 24 Greater White-fronted Geese were present this afternoon on the shores of Lake Washington near the public restrooms at Gene Coulon Park. Great distant views of the Olympic Mountains was also made during our visit!


Sincerely,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com