Another sub-freezing morning, with no wind but intense fog that only
seemed to thicken as the day progressed. Once the sky lightened a little
it was still difficult to discern the grays on the gulls on the swim
platform. And, the activity seemed a little slow overall; just a few
highlights today (with Joe Sweeney and Vicki King). Plus, there was a
constant overlay of distracting sounds coming from the construction of
the tennis center and the sewage overflow retention facility.

All but the main Promontory Pond was frozen yet even there provided
little activity. A flock of Canada Geese managed to break the ice at the
Entrance Pond. The flock of American Wigeon was the largest yet this
year, well over 120 birds; a male Eurasian Wigeon was in the flock.
Visible scaup numbers were way down, mostly Lesser Scaup; I suspect the
rest were all beyond the range of fog view. The Snow Goose continues
with the large group of Canadas but the white-fronts were absent.

Before dawn we heard a Short-eared Owl call from the East Meadow, as
well as a Wilson's Snipe. Later, 3 more snipe were seen foraging on the
beach at Pontiac Bay; two flushed when a Killdeer made a vocal landing
nearby; the third froze up except for a few eye blinks
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QDETT6DEvg).

Lots of Fox and Golden-crowned Sparrow, plus a few Lincoln's near the
Sail Pavilion. A couple of Yellow-rumped Warblers (Audubon's) were at
Promontory Point and a skulking Orange-crowned Warbler was seen in the
shrubs by the children's garden.

For the day, only 52 species
(http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S12631617). For the year,
69 species.
Scott Ramos
Seattle