Subject: [Tweeters] Possible eiders at Golden Gardens, Seattle
Date: Jan 29 10:57:09 2007
From: Rachel - RachelWL at msn.com


I just got a call from Trudy Rasp, who saw three unusual birds off the
beach at Golden Gardens in Seattle, from the area between the west side
of the bathhouse and the new wetlands.

She says these birds were large and duck-shaped, had very contrasty
black and white plumage with a lot of white on the head, and had
yellowish bills. They were diving actively. Unfortunately, they were
very far out on the water, and Trudy didn't have her scope with her, so
she is NOT at all sure of what they were, but she thinks the best match
for what she saw might be Common Eiders. Considering all the other
rarities that have been turning up in Western Washington, maybe this
isn't all that implausible.

If anyone has seen these mystery birds, has a chance to follow up on
this sighting, or has any other ideas, Trudy (and presumably the rest of
us) would appreciate hearing about it. Trudy's address is
rasp at u.washington.edu.

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
RachelWL at msn.com