After walking from 20-24 miles of ocean beach between Ocean Park and the
boundary to the Leadbetter Wildlife Refuge the last four days, I've seen,
for the first time, the full impact of the shorebird migration. On Monday
evening, on a six mile walk, we saw only one Sanderling. On similar walks
the next three days we did not see one shorebird. None! We had always
*assumed* that there was a resident population of Sanderlings with
regular visitaitons by the other regular species.

Information please...

Is this complete lack of birds are typical phenomenon for this time of year?

How long would such a condition be expected to last?

We did see one Caspian Tern. The predominant species around our house
next to the forest above the dunes has been the White-Crowned Sparrow.

Grant Hendrickson
ghendric at esd112.wednet.edu