Tweeters:



Had a chilly but very interesting count yesterday at Graysmarsh. This private wetland is just north of Sequim in Clallam Co. (there is public beach access via Wilcox Lane). Temps were from 25 to 38 F. The day started perfect for weather, with frosty sunlight and broken clouds, but at about 10-10:30 a icy SE wind clouded things over and birding deteriorated. However, about 2-2:30, the wind laid down and birding picked up again. The CBC as a whole did very well, but I'll leave that story to 'ol Bob.



Species and individuals counts at Graysmarsh were mostly way down from other years: we had 83 species (ten-year average is about 88) plus 6 more were seen/heard the day prior. A number of dabbling ducks, divers and passerines were way down in numbers. But we had some really good finds as well.



There was an ad SLATY-BACKED GULL that was in with a group of GW, GW X W, and W. Gulls close to the public beach parking spot at the end of Wilcox Lane or just west. Other than looking for the usual field marks an ad. winter Slaty has, the bird seemed to have a gimpy wing. All three of us studied the bird, although a photo attempt was abortive; I was able to get the "string of pearls" both above and below, first as the bird flew in, then when it raised its wings once-twice while it fed along the shoreline. The second very hot bird was a 1st-winter CHIPPING SPARROW near the hedgerow that borders the public beach access at the end of the conifer stretch. It bathed in the open in association with a nice Zono flock. This is my first Chipping in winter anywhere in WA, and I'm hard put to recall any others, although there were a couple different birds in Skagit Co awhile back if memory serves. As with the Slaty, we were all afforded good looks.



So we had our best-ever sparrow day at Grays, as follows:



Savannah Sparrow 3 (low)

CHIPPING SPARROW 1 (1st-winter)

Lincoln's Sparrow 6

Swamp Sparrow 1 (heard only near n.e. Einarsen Meadow; different bird seen by North Pond 12/13)

Song Sparrow 106

Fox Sparrow 34

White-crowned Sparrow 1 (singing)

White-throated Sparrow 1 (seen and in song, 2-3 present on 12/13)

Golden-crowned Sparrow 100



Total, 253 sparrows, 9 species



Other highlights included 12 GR. WHITE-FRONTED GEESE, the first in 28 years for Graysmarsh on the CBC, and others were found on other territories apparently. This seemed odd given a less-than-impressive fall flight as surveyed back on Oct. 24. Also of note were 28 TRUMPETER SWANS, the most we've had at Grays. A SORA answered the tape deep in the Honey Hole both dawn and then in the afternoon, but Virginia Rails would not answer (!). Four CEDAR WAXWINGS seemed pretty hardy, but others were found on the count.



Out-of-place or otherwise notables included both BARRED and N. PYGMY OWLS found singly at about 1200' along central Jimmy-Come-Lately Rd. Unfortunately, the W. SCREECH-OWLS that were reliable here for many years were gone. More surprising here were continuous small groups of MOURNING DOVES, totalling 75, near dawn, heading downslope for the Blyn area at sea level. Also heard here: a large OWL, sp (booming, basal, slurred downward hoot, heard 4-5 times). Anne Winskie spotted one of three Grays' GREAT HORNED OWLS, this bird allowed her to photograph from just 15 feet at mid-day! It was really odd, we wondered about it being ill. I surprised a (Western) MARSH WREN in Elephant Grass (Elymus mollis) and driftwood at the public beach, had not had one in that habitat before.



The day before the count, I had two TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS in a kinglet flock near the Lavender Gift Shop, just adjacent to the Camp Ramblewood entrance immediately off Hwy 101 and adjoining south edge of Sequim Bay State Park. Here and immediately south along Schoolhouse Pt Lane is the most reliable spot for Townsend's in winter, and I'm convinced they are always here, but the kinglet-chickadee flock must be found first.



Finally, we had a dead COAST MOLE, and Anne and Joyce described a SEA OTTER off the bluff trail, eliminating RIVER OTTER with their narrative. I feel like other than outer-coast encounters, they've been in the San Juans. Kelly McAllister, can you weigh in here?



Scott Atkinson

Lake Stevens

mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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