While the notion of over flight is no doubt a partial explanation, I think
coverage is an important factor. There are parts of California that are covered
far more rigorously than the Oregon Coast. The best habitats are far from major
urban centers (eg.leadbetter point, Bandon, etc.) Those that are close are
typically covered 2/7 of the time only.

I don't think we'll ever match California. Overflight is a factor. The degree
to which it is a factor can only really be stated when we can put the same kind
of numbers of observers into the field on a consistant basis.



>
>Dennis Paulson and others have commented recently on weather patterns vs. Asian
> shorebirds. During summers such as the last do these birds simply avoid North
> America, or overfly the NW? Several opinions were voiced. Certainly shorebir
>ding in the NW has been very slow this summer. Howevever California has had 2
>adult RN Stints, the Little Curlew, a Sharp-tail, and a photographed Little Sti
>nt (yet to be verified I guess). There may be others that I haven't heard abou
>t. This seems to favor the overflight hypothesis, or are NW birders just letti
>ng them pass unnoticed?
>
>(PS pardon this message if you've received it twice before, I'm having trouble
> with the mail system here)
>
>

--
******************************** Nothing at the top, but a bucket and a mop
* Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR * and an illustrated book about birds
* mpatters at ednet1.osl.or.gov * see a lot up there, but donUt be scared.
******************************** Who needs action when you got words? KC