While killing time (murdering minutes?) before catching the
Southworth/Fauntleroy ferry I wandered over to Yukon Harbor which is south
of Manchester. My goal was to look for shorebirds of which there were none.

But there was a flock of 15 Common Terns along with many Caspian Terns and
assorted gulls. Seeing the Caspian and Common terns together really made me
see the size difference between the two.

Nearby were five or six Canada Geese preening and moving around the sea
grasses mouldering on the shore. Off to one side was what at first I took
for granted as being another Canada goose. But upon closer inspection I
found it to be a cross between Canada and a Greater White-fronted goose. It
had the facial white ring at the base of the bill and the fluffy white butt
of the greater white-fronted goose. At the bend of the neck there was a
dull white, almost gray chin strap so well displayed by the Canada geese
nearby. It had orangeish-pink feet and legs which were visible as the goose
sauntered over to the other geese. I've only ever seen this cross once
before up by the Three Crabs about three years ago. Guess that old gene
pool needs stirring from time to time just to keep us birders on our toes.

Further out in Yukon Harbor there were red-necked grebes, common loons,
western grebes, horned grebes and pigeon guillemots. On the way out Hood
Canal past Belfair St. Park a lone common loon has taken up its winter
roost. Time to keep an eye out for those incoming winter visitors.

Meanwhile, at home, a male mountain quail was calling about 0700 this
morning. Guess he looked at the wrong page in his calendar if he thinks now
is the time to start calling for a mate.

Mary Hrudkaj
Belfair/Tahuya

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