While working on the Everett waterfront (10th st. marina ) the last week or so, I've been keeping eyes and ears peeled for returning martins. Thought I heard one about 3 days ago, but could'nt confirm it. Today I saw 6. One pair by a nest box at the boat launch itself (very SW corner of the Maulsby mudflats) and two pairs perched all together near a nest box near the east end of the boat launch parking lot (SE corner of the mudflats ). Last year saw 8 martins here on May 7. around the various nest boxes.

By the boat launch a single Spotted Sandpiper teetered around. A few Green-wing Teal and Pintails out on the mudflats. Flocks of small shorebirds out on the distant mud. A motley imm. Bald Eagle was hassling several Ospreys. In the center of the parking lot 70 Caspian Terns rested , looking especially brilliant on all that cement.

Jeff Gibson
Everett Wa.