The lingering adult Heermann's Gull made regular appearance around the Edmonds marina breakwater and public pier for three days through December 7th, when it joined other gulls in a collective attempt to wrest a salmon away from a California sea lion. The gulls lost. The Heermann's was not seen for almost a week and now has been showing up daily again, including this morning.

The two Common Ravens made regular passes through the Edmonds Bowl and recently seem to have retreated to the south Edmonds neighborhood where they were and are being seen regularly.

A Western Meadowlark was again seen near the marsh on December 6th.

The one Ruddy Duck that hung around the marsh for several weeks disappeared during the big freeze and did not return with all the other ducks. Barrow's Goldeneyes are showing up around the ferry dock and the pier.

Black Scoters, which inhabit Edmonds waterfront in small numbers each winter, typically stay out beyond the underwater park and need to be viewed by scope from Sunset Avenue. Recently a few of them have been appearing nearer to the public pier. One day last week two of them landed among the large flock of Surf Scoters, offering great close-up views from the pier. Harlequin flybys continue but it has been a while since we have seen a Long-tailed Duck.

Last week we saw a Peregrine Falcon, which is a less usual raptor sighting for Edmonds. We have been seeing the Red-tailed Hawks and adult Cooper's Hawk a bit more regularly. And then there are always the resident Bald Eagles . . .

We have had several Brewer's Blackbird sightings along the waterfront in the last week as well as an Orange-crowned Warbler at Brackett's Landing on December 10th.

This morning we watched the tugboat Vulcan heading south slowly towing a long log raft. Two of the adult eagles, at least one harbor seal, and several Sanderlings were aboard for a free ride. We watched the aircraft carrier Nimitz make its way down Admiralty Inlet and turn north for Everett. A Hairy Woodpecker at the Willow Creek Hatchery was a treat today as they are most reliably seen at Yost Park.

We have not added any new species this month so we remain at 184 for the year.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds, Wa