The mild weather to date has apparently reduced the number of winter ducks visiting the Juanita Bay Park. A pair of tundra swans visited briefly in November, as did (different dates) a pair of trumpeter swans. Last year, a single swan was in the bay for several days around Thanksgiving, and the larger wintering mixed flock of trumpeters and tundras came in ahead of the December storm, just before Christmas. I am not yet willing to rule out another winter of swans in our Bay.

Ranger program

The Juanita Bay Rangers are exploring options for keeping an ongoing program in the park without direct city aid and funding. The first Sunday walks for December, January, and February are already scheduled by our departing Parks Department Coordinator and will be held (1 p.m., meet at kiosk by parking lot). Beyond that, we will see. A tree planting ceremony in honor of Teresa Sollitto, our city coordinator whose position is eliminated due to the levy’s failure, was held Dec. 3. Sollitto built the ranger program into a strong, viable organization. We will miss her greatly, and wish her all the best.

Christmas sing-along

This year’s participatory sing-along for the Moss Bay Recorder Society runs from 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Bellevue Regional Library. I guarantee there will be some lovely seasonal music that you have never heard before.

Green calendar

Annual Christmas Bird Count: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19. Pre-register with Hugh Jennings, h2ouzel@comcast.net or 425-746-6351.

Juanita Bay Bird Walk: From 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 16.

Argosy Christmas Cruise Kirkland sailings: 7 p.m. Dec. 18, featuring a Juanita Beach concert; 3:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. Dec. 19; 5 p.m. Dec. 20; 7 p.m. Dec. 21-22; and 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.