Small sandpipers continue to visit the marsh.? I think the ones I photographed Monday and Tuesday were all least sandpipers.??It is hard to tell?whether their legs are yellow or black after they walk through the mud.?? Virginia rails continue to be heard but not seen.?? I cannot remember hearing any in the marsh in the past.? Their call is distinct and I would have remembered it.?
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Monday?I saw three marbled murrelets inside the marina opposite the fuel dock.??? Tuesday there was a single one at that same location.?? An immature rhinocerous auklet was inside the marina as well as some mature ones in breeding plumage in the Sound off the fishing pier.???There was at least one horned grebe still hanging around inside the marina.? Tuesday it was swimming with the immature rhinocerous auklet. ????
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The heron nest on the walkway?of the south end of the inner breakwater?(opposite Anthony's) is gone, but a new one has been built just to the north of?where the old one was.? The one on top of an electric box at the north end of the inner breakwater remains.???Herons ?are sitting on both the nests, but I cannot tell if there are any eggs.
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The local eagles have been?busy enjoying the updrafts?of the past two blustery days.??Tuesday around noon three adults were circling?high over the marsh?as a juvie?did a flyover at?a lower altitude.? For once I?wished I had a wide angle lens instead of my big honkin' telephoto to get them all in one shot.??
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The Brant are still massing in the Sound.?? They can spot an eagle at an amazing distance and will?take of?en masse when they see one, which is?always ?before I do. ???

Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. USA