Hi all,

I birded the northern part of the Kitsap Peninsula today. The day
started with a surprise as I pulled into the Point no Point lighthouse
parking lot, and spotted two swallows flying over the marsh. I was
perhaps even a bit more surprised when the swallows turned out to be
CLIFF SWALLOWS. Although, I admit to trying my best to make them into
Cave Swallows. Later in the day, another one joined-in to forage over
the marsh.

All expected alcids including Ancient Murrelets, a fair number of
lingering Heermann's Gulls, and a continuing large concentration of
Bonaparte's Gulls made for some good sea-watching off of the point.

Late morning, the residential area of Driftwood Keys a few miles west of
Hansville, yielded the highlight of the day for me. While pishing and
enjoying a a nice sparrow flock at the corner of Buck Road and Vista Key
Drive, a TROPICAL KINGBIRD flew in and perched on a wire nearby. I
observed it several times over an hour period along Buck Road as far
north as the intersection with Maple Place. I also observed it along the
main drag of Hood Canal Drive that transects Driftwood Keys. It appears
as though this would be a first for Kitsap County.

Cheers and good birding,
Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com