Hey all,

First wanted to report that I've seen a Scrub Jay or two here in Renton. One I have seen 3-4 times now in the last year in the Liberty Park area, plus or minus a few blocks (I think others have reported that one as well). I saw it last Saturday, then, when visiting a friends house in Earlington, another (the same?) Scrub Jay hopped from tree to tree in their yard for 10-15 minutes.

Today (Sunday), I was at Coulon Park with my kids, and got some peeks at the waterfowl while we were there. Lots of Coots and Mallards, of course. Also had some Gadwall, Western and Horned Grebe, and Ring-Billed Gulls. At least a dozen Greater White Fronted Geese have also made their way back to the park - first I've seen in a while.

There was an odd duck that I saw very close to the path running from the swimming area to the island. It was swimming with some mallards, so I could see it was a shade smaller than them. It was mostly white, except for a black tail, and a reddish brownish head. No black on the breast, like a canvasback or redhead would have, but otherwise, that's what I though I was looking at (head shape has me leaning towards redhead). Do those ducks have any plumage that leaves them without a black breast, or am I probably looking at one of the many Mutt X Somethings that love Coulon Park so well?

Tim Brennan
Renton



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