Hi All: There was a male Harlequin swimming and diving along the west side of the old Tahlequah dock (S. end of Vashon Island) this morning about 8 am. Also six California gulls, including one adult and 1st & 2nd summer birds. More flying around seen during the ferry crossing. Also one dc cormorant on the dock and many Caspian Terns flying & foraging in the ferry lane. The 5,000 pair colony in the Columbia River estuary has failed, so many are showing up early.
Ferry workers report a humpback whale blowing and splashing sporadically to the west of the ferry lane to over by Pt Defiance (the point). Spotted every day this week although not this morning.
Gary Shugart, Slater Museum of Natural History, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma & Vashon Island