Yesterday (1.23.06) the TUFTED DUCK was visible looking south from 204th in Kent. My 4th try for this bird. This bird may have settled for a while at this location, but it seems to be somewhat of a skulker, as it is not always in the open. The small tuft is not developed and may not be visible. I recall the Tufted Duck in Bellevue last year. Up from a dive, the full tuft would be "pasted" to the back of the head until it was shaken loose or dried out. For folks seeking the Tufted Duck for the first time, this bird has a solid black back and solid white sides. No normal scaup or Ring-necked Duck fits this description.

Penny Koyama and Steve Dang told me of a MARSH WREN at the 204th location that had at least a partially white head. Thanks to their heads up, I saw this bird yesterday.

In the afternoon, I parked across from the 212th and 59th location where the Iceland Gull has been seen in hopes that the bird may show up. I was asked to leave by Boeing Security. I parked down the street and walked back to the location. I saw no gulls whatsoever at this location around 4:00PM.

As I headed home to Seattle, an unusual RED-TAILED HAWK with a lot of white in the wings flew over the car and landed on a streetlight post. This was on S 200th, a bit east of Orillia Road.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA