Hi Tweets

A belated report from this morning. I was out at Bradley Lake park at 8 a.m. The flock of Ring-necked Ducks and the Tufted Duck were very actively feeding, so close observation was required. After about 5 minutes the Tufted Duck separated itself somewhat from the rest of the flock. It was light enough by then that I was able to get a good look. The shortened tuft was sometimes obscured because the duck was diving, but was usually visible. I first keyed in on the duck because of the lack of white at the base of the bill and the lack of a blaze on the "shoulder". Nice bird.

On the way home I saw a Western Scrub-Jay along Frager Road by the first road overpass going north. I was at Renton earlier than some of the other reports today, spent some time scanning all around the Target/Fry's area with no large white owls.

Good birding!

Brian H. Bell
Woodinville WA
mail to bell asoc at iso media dot com