I had seen Spencer's post from yesterday but not today so I was very pleased when I arrived at Carkeek Park this morning around 8:30 to find Sarah Peden returning from the beach confirming that the Tattler was still there. ?
As indicated by Spencer in his latest post, it initially hung around the large root ball on the beach. ?However I found it to be quite active and it foraged north from the tree root. ?I also did not observe any discoloration except some white on one leg - looking like it was worn perhaps. ?I left the Tattler to scan the gulls for maybe 5 minutes and when I returned it had continued north along the beach and eventually flew further north to the larger rocks near the railroad tracks. ?It flew easily and well. ?I see that it was reported again not too long after I left so perhaps it had returned to the root ball. ?Hopefully this bodes well for the health of this lovely visitor. ?Thanks Spencer.

I also had a fun experience with one of the immature gulls. ?It picked up a piece of paper from the beach and paraded around with it - letting it go and then picking it up again. ?I am not too good on identification of immature gulls, but I would say this one appeared to be in its RE-Cycle.
Some photos of the Tattler and the Gull:
Carkeek Park August 22, 2016


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Carkeek Park August 22, 2016
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From: Spencer Hildie <shildie at earthlink.net>
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Monday, August 22, 2016 8:47 AM
Subject: [Tweeters] Re: Tattler continues at Carkeek

Tweeters,

To add to my hastily written message from the field: the Wandering
Tattler continues at Carkeek Park as of about 8:15 AM. It is heavily
associating with a large mass of dead roots on the westernmost point of
the beach, halfway between the creek outlet and the bridge. It seems to
be hiding under that, with only brief forays out to feed. It did make
one short flight south toward the outlet of Piper's Creek and landed
near the gulls, but quickly returned to its usual spot near the root
ball. In the time I have observed it, the tattler has not vocalized at
all. It's breast feathers also seem to be yellowish, grungy, and perhaps
stuck together by some substance. Maybe oil? It seemed considerable less
active than yesterday and I am not sure that it is in good health.

Chasers would do well to get there early, while still at relatively high
tide and before the hordes of people and dogs arrive.

Spencer Hildie
Seattle, WA
shildie at earthlink.net
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