Hi Tweets,

As compiler of Kitsap County's year-list, I thought I would send out an
e-mail to help clutter-up the inbox of Wayne Weber. Actually, knowing that
Wayne still might try another attempt for the Thick-billed Murre, he might
like to know about some other Kitsap County birds while he was in the area.
I do know that some birds would be of interest to county-listers.

Kitsap County has tallied 133 species for the month of January (at least to
my knowledge). Although no new county birds have been recorded, five species
are noteworthy (code 4 or 5):

Northern Fulmar - One off Point no Point on 1/3 observed by Vic Nelson.
Short-tailed Shearwater - One off of Restoration Point, Bainbridge Island on
1/6
White-tailed Kite - One over Point no Point on 1/18 observed by Keith Brady,
Tom Aversa & Rachel Lawson.
Thick-billed Murre - Still being seen (see Vic Nelson's report from today)!
Common Redpoll - A new yard bird for Brad on 1/13 and also reported from
Salsbury Point by Dennis Paulson.

Kitsap County has a wild Ross's Goose that has taken-up residence at a farm
south of Poulsbo. It has been there for about five years. Apparently it fell
in love with a female Barnyard Goose and so it has decided to stay and enjoy
the easy life.

A few other "hard-to-find" Kitsap County birds have been recorded in
January:

Canvasback - a male is present in Liberty Bay west of downtown Poulsbo.
Mountain Quail- George Gerdt's and I had a small covey last Saturday in the
gravel pit across from the old Port Orchard airport.
Green Heron - one at the south end of Kitsap Lake on 1/20 and one at Long
lake on 1/12.
American Dipper - one along Dogfish Creek on 1/20 at Valley Nursery just
north of Poulsbo.

I would be happy to provide further details or directions to any birder
heading this direction. Incidentally, the morning hours this weekend look
best for Thick-billed Murre searching. It will be even better if the north
wind is not blowing and the fog disappears.

Cheers and happy county-listing,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island, WA
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com