Subject: [Tweeters] Pelagic cormorants
Date: May 6 18:19:22 2006
From: Doug Hudson - dhudson at silverlink.net


This morning Denis DeSilvis and I were looking over the Port Washington
Narrows in Bremerton when we saw several Pelagic Cormorants in full
breading plumage. They were flying to and from the bottom of the Warren
Ave. bridge onto the salt water of the narrows. We observed a couple of
them leaving the water with what we thought were fish but it soon became
clear they were collecting bits of seaweed which they were hauling to
their nests under the bridge. As pelagics are not all that common on
inland waters, if any of you Tweets will be traveling to the Point No
Point or Port Townsend/Squim areas later this weekend, consider going
through Bremerton for a look. Good views can be had from small parks on
both the north and south ends of the bridge. There is also a nesting
pair of Peregrin Falcons under the bridge though they are often
difficult to see. Their nest is toward the north end and can best be
seen from the southerly park.

To reach the southern park, turn east on 17th just before you get on the
bridge. Drive a couple hundred feet (at the most) and turn left on
Elizebeth. Park on the side of Elizebeth at the dead end and walk down
the steps toward the water. This park is almost directly under the
south end of the bridge. So far as the park on the north end goes, if
you are driving north across the bridge, exit right at the first exit
and keep tight right. You will be on Clare Ave. which will end at Lebo
Blvd. Turn right 100 to 150 yards to the park. If you are already
north of the bridge, drive south toward the bridge but turn left at the
light onto Sheridan Rd. Immediately turn right onto Wheaton Way and
drive down hill 300 yards or so to the light at Lebo and turn right. Go
under the bridge to the park which will be on your left. Both of these
parks are very small. The park on the south has no parking lot while
the park on the north has spots for 5 or 6 cars.

Doug Hudson
Bremerton, WA
dhudson at silverlink.net