Hi Tweets,

Enjoyed a terrific day of birding with Jeff Cohen.

Spent the morning searching for Mountain Quail in Mason County. We had good
responses to playing calls at the top of Canyon Road along the ridge that
borders the western coast of the eastern hood canal inlet. Our hard work
paid off just south and west of Haven Lake along NE Tahuya Blacksmith Rd.
We had a great view of a female Mountain Quail that popped up on a log to
check us out for about one minute.

The afternoon was also very exciting while we explored the diverse habitats
of Theler Wetlands south of Blair. We were pleasantly surprised to see a
Yellow-headed Blackbird, and had many good looks as the bird appeared to
follow us down the wetland trail in the sunny breeze.

On the way home, driving along State Route 509 or ?Marine View Drive,? along
the Northeast shore of Commencement Bay Tacoma, I finally took time to scope
the recent gull arrivals on the log booms. Three Heermann?s Gulls were
looking very obvious with their 100 or so California Gull flock. I had
great views with the sun setting and the gulls approximately 75 feet from
shore.

Good Birding!

Shep Thorp
Browns Point, Tacoma.

sthorp at theaec.com <mailto:sthorp at theaec.com>