Tweets,

Saturday afternoon I was at Damon Point (south end of Ocean Shores
penninsula) and found a large flock of actively feeding gulls and alcids
in the tidal-rip running parallel to the shore, about 70 yards out.

There were approximately 100 Heerman's gull, both immature and adult (in
fairly equal proportions). Also, at least a dozen brown pelicans paddled
about with the gulls and alcids (i.e. they weren't in their usual dive
mode of feeding). After reading about these beautiful gulls in Bent's Life
History of North American Birds, it is significant to note that the gulls
were *not* stealing from the pelicans...

Also, there were hundreds of rhinocerous auklets feeding in this same
area, as well as small groups flying towards the mouth of the harbor
(Damon Point is a small peninsula at the western extreme of Grays Harbor).
These alcids were joined by many common murre (about 1 murre to 10
rhino's); some flying in mixed flocks with the rhino's. A few pigeon
guillemot were being contrary - all of them (flying singly) were going in
the opposite direction...

Caspian terns were about, and there were several flocks (10 to 50 birds)
of nervous shorebirds that would alight, and take off at the slightest
disruption, both here and at Copalis Beach (north end of Ocean Shores).

>From careful studying of the field guide, and Dennis' book, I strongly
suspect they were sanderling still in alternate plumage (i.e. they were
brown above, white below, with striking white wing bars; the size was in
the ballpark too). One possible semipalmated plover flew overhead (saw a
very distinct collar, and an appropriate call). How's that for conviction?


Michael Patrick
mpatrick at eldec.com
(206)743-8204