Yesterday I took a short walk out to Spencer Island with my wife; out into the Estuary. It was pretty quiet birdwise except for numerous Buzzy Wrens (as Rob Sandelin's kids aptly named Marsh Wrens) singing. I've always thought they sounded like over-wound wind-up toys, just about ready to explode somehow. Didn't see a single swallow out there.

Mostly the usual suspects. Did see a pair of Cinnamon Teal zip by, the first of this year for me. And on the main sewage pond saw a single female Canvasback, which was neato, since I rarely see them in my typical limited travels. A few Ruddie's out there too, along with Ring-necked Ducks. Scaup's (at least some appeared to be Greater judged by length of wing-stripe) were the most numerous duck, along with Mallards scattered all over. A few Buffleheads, Green-winged Teal and Gadwalls about also along with a few giant Canada Geese.

The swamp vegetation was nicely colored by more blooming Salmonberry, and the high tide mark lit with the dim yellow candlelight of blooming Skunk Cabbages along Union Slough. Union Slough was living up to the dictionary definition of slough as being a 'backwater' since it was just about out of water- the tide was out. To canoe this feature would have taken a canoe with four-wheel drive and really big tires to get over the mud-bound logs.

This morning I zipped down to the 10th street boat launch in Everett to check the Gull scene. It was much like the scene on 3/21 where I discovered Mew Gulls had "replaced" the Ring-billed Gulls. Today about 50 Mew's and not a single Ring-bill. Coincidence? I don't know.

Jeff Gibson
Everett Wa
Everett Wa