Definitely sounds like a Black Oystercatcher. The reason you might not see
much mention of them on Tweeters is that they are resident in Washington , are
pretty common, and are easy to identify. Not much to write about to Tweeters,
unless someone wanted to remark about how pretty they are, and how loudly they
call. :)

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== MJCT_Hobbs at msn.com


----------
From: TWEETERS-owner at u.washington.edu on behalf of Lovcukes at aol.com
Reply To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 1997 10:32 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: Oystercatcher?

Hi Tweets,
On a recent trip to the Long Beach Peninnsula, I was standing inside the
North Head lighthouse when I observed what I think was a Black Oystercatcher.
It was down on the beach running in and out with the waves munching on
whatever was left behind on the sand. I find it peculiar that I have never
seen this bird mentioned on Tweeters before and am wondering if I have the
correct I.D. The bird was large (about gull size) and all black with a VERY
reddish-orange long beak. Anybody know what I was looking at? Thanks in
advance.

Dayna Yalowicki
Bothell, Wa