I started my neighborhood walk this morning at Lake Jeane. Highlights among
the waterfowl on the lake, were 3 male COMMON MERGANSERS and 3 male and 4
female HOODED MERGANSERS. A single male CANVASBACK was early. We normally
have from 1 to 3 "Cans" every winter, but mainly later in December or in
January. Adding to uncommon waterfowl for this location, were 5 presumably
TRUMPETER SWANS flying over the lake on a southwesterly heading. Nothing
like crossing your "T's" with Trumpeter! Here is list of species seen:

MALLARD
AMERICAN WIGEON
RING-NECKED DUCK
BUFFLEHEAD
CANVASBACK
COMMON MERGANSER
HOODED MERGANSER
TRUMPETER SWAN
PIED-BILLED GREBE

At Lake Lorene and Treasure Island Park, we have a large flock of AMERICAN
WIGEON, which seems to alternate between here and Dumas Bay. It seems larger
than in previous years with a conservative estimate of between 400 and 500
or more. I do try to pick out EURASIAN WIGEONS and found one and a half
today. The half is a likely hybrid, typically gray with a rosy chest and red
head, however it does have a lot of green around the eyes. There was a group
of 30 to 40 GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS foraging in the mud on the lawn. While I
was scanning the wigeon flock, the gulls gave alarm cries and took to the
air. When I turned around, I fully expected to see the local Bald Eagle
making a pass. To my surprise, a PEREGRINE FALCON came zooming through the
gulls! I think that the gulls would likely to be too large for a prey item
for the falcon, but it certainly gave them a cheap thrill! None of the ducks
took flight as they would for a Bald Eagle. They do know the difference in
hunting methods of their enemies!

Good Birding!

Hans Feddern
Twin Lakes/Federal Way, WA.
thefedderns at gmail.com
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