Hey Tweets,

On Vashon for the weekend and decided to spend some time this morning to bird Tramp Harbor and KVI beach.

Tramp Harbor offered a raft of 180+ WESTERN GREBES well out in to the bay. SURF SCOTERS were present but not numerous. PIGEON GUILLEMOTS in almost-winter plumage, a PACIFIC and COMMON LOON and RED-NECKED and HORNED GREBES. By far the most numerous gulls were MEW GULLS picking through the seaweed on shore. The large flock of AMERICAN WIGEON that usually congregates where the stream empties into the bay is back for the winter, including a male EURASIAN WIGEON and a female NORTHERN PINTAIL.

Also scoped a pair of HARBOR PORPOISES well out into the channel.

KVI beach didn't offer much else aside from a flock of KILLDEER. I spotted a cetacean while counting another distant raft of Western Grebes. I assumed that it was another Harbor Porpoise until the black back and white-tipped dorsal fin told me I had a DALL'S PORPOISE. Needless to say, I stopped counting the Western Grebes and watched this guy for about ten minutes. Only other time I have seen Dall's was on a Westport Pelagic trip.

Clear, crisp morning. Calm water. Great time to welcome some of our returning seabirds.

Adam Sedgley
adams at seattleaudubon.org