Steve Pink and I birded in Mason County today.

We began at Theler Wetlands (Belfair) where highlights included NORTHERN SHRIKE and TRUMPETER SWAN (7) among a vast array of more common birds. Even though the weather was cold and wet, the birds were cooperative.

We continued along Hood Canal where we had a small flock of RED CROSSBILLS. Also a late OSPREY. The highlight of the day was a 1st winter male KING EIDER at Potlatch State Park. The bird was diving repeatedly close to a platform near the north end of the park.

We ended the day at George Adams Hatchery where we saw an AMERICAN DIPPER, a few HOODED MERGANSERS and a PILEATED WOODPECKER.

65 species on a cold, wet day in Mason County.

It was a good day.



Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net