Hey Tweets!

I had a three hour paddle in a kayak yesterday, leaving from Boston Harbor and exploring the waters south of Hatstene and Squaxin Islands. No crazy birds, but a couple tough ones, with a Rhinoceros Auklet and Marbled Murrelet making an appearance. The alcids were not all that skittish, and I was able to paddle right in with some Pigeon Guillemots.

I had contacted a birder who lives on Skookum Inlet, and was able to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening watching gulls, ducks and shorebirds from publicly accessible land. No new year birds, but it was a treat to explore the area.

Today, I hit Theler, Belfair and Kennedy Creek. The highlight was a Baird's Sandpiper at Theler, and at long last a Northern Harrier!

Auklet, Baird's and Harrier make it 169 for the year in Mason!

Happy Birding!

Tim Brennan
Renton
Www.masoncountybirding.blogspot.com (not yet updated)