Tweeters: Just a quick note summarizing highlights from the Everett-Marysville CBC Dec 17.Though we had some rarities and highlights, misses more than compensated for those, explaining the species count of 128--a bit below that of recent years. This could not be attributed to weather (you recall the sunshine and 50 F high temp), or effort (we were in the 55-60 count range for participants, above other recent years). HIGHLIGHTS: Bill Davey's group covered Area 11 (Spencer I, Everett STP, Smith I)while Carol Riddell and I covered the balance (aeration ponds, Union Bay restorationestuary, 12th Street SE, Harnden Tree Farm, Biringer Farm). Bill Davey reported thathis team enjoyed scope study of an imm. N. GOSHAWK on Spencer I. We had oneabout eight CBCs back from 12th Street SE. They also had (rare for us) two LONG-TAILED DUCKS on the Weyerhauser Pond accessed via Pacific Topsoils on Smith I.Here too, we had a precedent with Mary Teesdale having had a bird here about 8CBCs back. Carol Riddell already well covered our activity, I'll just add the two heard-onlySWAMP SPARROWS were at a small pond right off I-5 opposite the north edge of Langus Waterfront Park, and the other was far inside the Harnden Tree Farm alonga brushy/Canary-grass laden edge of a slough that I thought we'd never navigate.Sorry about that, Carol. Earlier, a SORA cooperated with a point-blank rangevocalization along the south side of the road approaching the Spencer I. bridge.The Davey group also turned up two AM. BITTERNS. Carol's 50 DOWITCHERS were of note also, as were the 76 LINCOLN'S SPARROWSwe counted--part of an unprecedented CBC record-high that appears to have reachedtriple figures! The two parties covering Area 11 also accounted for 429 SONGSPARROWS and decent numbers of FOX SPARROWS too. I won't steal 'ol Bob's thunder, but the Sequim-Dungeness CBC also seemed to rock on LINCOLN'SSPARROW. The Karna boat party came through with the hoped-for divers and o, open-channel marine species, the biggest surprise being a HARLEQUIN DUCK (rare for us). Rick Taylor had a great day for Everett City, Area 12. The hot rarity he reported was two ROCK SANDPIPERS in the Port, a CBC first-ever. He also relocated a SNOWY OWL out on Jetty I. he detected earlier; he believes there are in fact two out there.There were two REDHEAD on the Marysville STP, a nice find for Susie Schaefer'sparty in Area 8 (Marysville City). The most interesting inland report came from Area 5, Sisco Heights down to 67th.The Wilds found two AM. TREE SPARROWS close to 172nd (Smoky Pt Blvd) near theairport. Art Wait's group found a loose flock of 12 TOWNSEND'S WARBLERS inthe Port Susan Campground, the largest number ever for our CBC. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRDS continue their expansion in our area, with several partiesturning in reports. Russ Caniff and Joyce Kelley accounted for our CBC's first EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVES, two up in the Island Crossing area. We hadfigured on this area, being closest to Stanwood, as the point of entry. At the CBC tally, we heard about other wildlife encounters as well--including tworelated to BEAVERS, a close-up on a N. FLYING-SQUIRREL at Quilceda Creekin Marysville, and BLACK BEAR--Carol spotted scat along the Harnden dike northeast of 12th Street SE. I did not think that area adequate to support one,but it is surprisingly remote out there. Too bad Carol and I may be the last tobird out there, as the imminent dike breach will likely soon force a whole lot of songbirds and other wildlife out. Scott AtkinsonLake Stevensmail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com