Subject: [Tweeters] {Tweeters}: Edmonds,
Date: Dec 31 22:59:18 2008
From: Kevin Mack - kevin_mack at comcast.net


Hi All,

I managed to spend some time outside yesterday before the rain set in. I
started off down on the Edmonds waterfront where Surf Scoters and Western
Grebes were out in large numbers. American Wigeons, Buffleheads, and
Barrow?s Goldeneyes were present, as were both Double-crested and Brandt?s
Cormorants, miscellaneous gulls and many crows. At the Edmonds Marsh there
was a very large flock of Pine Siskins feeding in the Alders along the
northern walkway. I was happy to see three Anna?s Hummingbirds as well, and
they appeared to have come through the recent snow and cold weather
none-the-worse for the experience. They were as active and feisty as
always. Robins, towhees, herons, Green-winged Teal and several others from
the list of usual suspects rounded out the viewing at the marsh.

After Edmonds, I headed down to the Union Bay Natural Area. There was quite
a bit of activity on the water as a Bald Eagle was attempting to exhaust a
diving bird so he could grab a meal. Eventually the eagle crashed into the
water and floated on the surface for about 20 seconds. He then took flight
with a limp bird body dangling below him. He was too far away for me to
tell what he had captured, and he disappeared into Laurelhurst leaving me
with an unanswered question. Whatever he captured, the removal of that one
bird certainly did not make a dent in the raft of waterfowl that was
floating around the bay. There were huge numbers of American Wigeons with
Gadwalls, Buffleheads and other miscellaneous ducks mixed in among them.
There was also a large flock of American Coots and a small group of 7
Trumpeter Swans. A lone Snow Goose was hanging out at one of the ponds
with a group of Canada Geese, and many Northern Shovelers were about. As
always, there was a very heavy American Crow presence. I very much
appreciated having the crows for company as they alerted me to a immature
Bald Eagle, an adult Cooper?s Hawk and a Sharp-shinned Hawk. They also led
me to a Raccoon that was snoozing the day away in the fork of a tree.

My last stop of the day was Matthew?s Beach Park. American Coots and
Wigeons made up the bulk of the birds that were present, but there were
several Canvasbacks and Common Goldeneyes feeding a little further from the
shore. Buffleheads, Canada Geese, Ring-billed Gulls, crows and a few other
miscellaneous common birds were also present.

I took many photos yesterday and uploaded 23 or so to my new photos gallery
here: http://www.goatislandimages.com/photogalleries.htm


Happy birding, and Happy New Year!

-----------------------------------
Kevin Mack
Edmonds, WA
www.goatislandimages.com