Tweeters:

First chance I've had to break free for a report on the 4/6-4/7 weekend out
at Sequim. The juv. Arctic Loon seen off Graysmarsh 3/31 was absent both
4/5 and 4/7; in fact, nearly all loons were missing, and the only loons I
could find (I looked on 4/7) were a couple Commons. On 4/6 I was also
unable to relocate the Palm Warbler seen 3/31 at the Kitchen Dick ponds,
although I heard others found the bird 4/4.

The good news was that a late PINE GROSBEAK was found in the Holland Rd
ravine (proate property), a Graysmarsh first, singing from atop a tall fir
in the deep forest here. This had been a good invasion winter (we had 23 on
the CBC back in December), so the species was not entirely unexpected.

Also, on 4/6, the family and I walked the 11-mile hike (roundtrip) to the
Dungeness Spit lighthouse. There was a nice movement of MARBLED MURRELETS
in various stages of molt, and about 400 RHINOCEROUS AUKLETS, scoped from
the beach by the lighthouse, but two CASSIN'S AUKLETS pretty close inshore
were unexpected. Most sightings in Puget Sound seem to be in fall,
especially in Sept. These birds were headed in the direction of Protection
I, so one wonders if some years there might be an occasional interest in
that site. We also saw the usual Harbor Seals and Cal. Sea-lion, and also
one Harbor Porpoise. On the beach, a 3' dead skate made for a gull feast.

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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