Subject: [Tweeters] Bellingham Tropical Kingbird, Drayton W. Scrub Jays,
Date: Nov 6 20:18:16 2010
From: Guy McWethy - lguy_mcw at yahoo.com


Hey Tweets,
Great day up north with Randy Bjorklund.
Saw the Bellingham TROPICAL KINGBIRD at about 10:00 this AM, same foot bridge as previously reported.
Then blasted up north and saw THREE(!) WESTERN SCRUB-JAYS at the Drayton 'feeder' house.
Then we wandered up to Semiahoo Spit, where the highlights were probably 100+ WHITE_WINGED SCOTERS, SURF SCOTERS, and several BLACK SCOTERS. Out in the channel to the north we saw probably 20 LONG-TAILED DUCKS with the 100's of AMERICAN WIGEON and NORTHERN PINTAILS. Nice flock of 50-ish BRANT across the way as well. Plus all the usuals.
We then blasted out to Washington Park in Anacortes, and seem to have caught it Just Perfectly on the falling tide.
We arrived at about 4:00, and watched as the tide carried away a show of alcids like I have NEVER seen.
Over 100 ANCIENT MURRELETS (!!! Holy Crap!!), 20+ MARBELED MURRELETS, 30 COMMON MURRES, 20 RHINO AUKLETS, PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, plus the usual Bonaparte's gulls, 20 HEERMAN'S GULLS, COMMON LOONS, several PACIFIC LOONS, at least one RED-THROATED LOON, SCOTERS, CORMORANTS etc.

AND a very probable THICK-BILLED MURRE !!!
(I posted a full description on Tweeters-Alerts)

The procession lasted until about 5:30, by which time it was getting to dark to see well.

Great Day !!! We endured a few drizzles, and dodged most of the heavier showers, and the afternoon was great! Then drove home in the driving rain. ;)

Guy McWethy
Renton, WA
mailto: lguy_mcw at yahoo.com