Tweets,

Steve Dang and I got good looks at Bob, the Iceland or Glaucous Gull, today on 212th across from the Polygon development--there is a parking at a wetland that is being "created" there. Bob was easily spotted, with his/her light mantle and white primaries. There were fewer gulls than previously reported, and perhaps the ample amount of water in the field pushed them closer to the road for better viewing. Bob is notable for being slightly smaller than his GW neighbor, its round, smallish head, light eyes, and short bill. Charlie, we didn't notice a pinched look to its face and thought it looked kinda sweet; and Gene, its head looked white--we couldn't see streaking in the good light we had. It did have a beefy chest, though. Not being experts, we hope someone can solve this gullish mystery. A Bald Eagle gave long, but unfruitful chase to a GW Gull, and Bob did not settle back with the crowd. We had a nice, tight formation of 8 lovely Snow Geese fly over while we were gull watching and there were Canada and Cackling Geese flying here and there.

The Cedar River mouth in Renton was exciting, with fast-moving waters full of wood debris entering Lake WA. A heavy equipment operator was not very successfully trying to snag some of the larger debris before the trestle at the entrance to the lake. Lots of people were watching the spectacle--Boeing workers on smoking break? There were more Common Goldeneyes than either of us had ever seen in one local spot, a couple of Thayers Gulls, but mostly Mews and GWs. Way out in the lake, towards Gene Coulon Park, was a swimming gaggle of about 24 White-fronted Geese, along with Lesser Scaup and Western Grebes. There were other waterfowl, including Canvasbacks, but the real sight was the high, fast-moving junk-clogged river water. Not a bad day at all.

Penny Koyama, Bothell
plkoyama at verizon.net