Tweets,

I used to be able to find up to half-dozen territorial WESTERN SCREECH-OWLs at Seward Park, mostly around the loop road on top, and quite vocal in winter. I hadn't been there for quite a few years but tried a couple of weeks ago on a fine night and had no responses. Has anyone heard or seen screech-owls in Seward Park lately? If not, I fear it's a bit more evidence that they are indeed suffering a widespread population decline in western Washington.

On the other hand, early this morning one was calling in the ravine behind my house. Last year I heard one February 25 until March 7, apparently a male seeking in vain for a mate.

Also, despite the foul weather I joined Geroge Gerdts and Brad Waggoner on a BLACK-HEADED GULL search at Point No Point this afternoon. After three solid hours of admiring the multitude of feeding Bonaparte's and Mew Gulls, Marbled Murrelets and other assorted alcids, just north of Vic Nelson's place, the gull mysteriously appeared only to disappear just as abruptly a few minutes later.

Gene Hunn
18476 47th Pl NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
enhunn323 at comcast.net