Subject: 08-25 & 08-31 Des Moines Marina, WA, bird sightings
Date: Aug 31 14:15:29 1997
From: Maureen Ellis - me2 at u.washington.edu


Hello Tweeterians,

On August 25, early evening, the waters outside the rock jetty at the
Marina had a small invasion of Common terns. Seven were observed
"roosting" on a large floating log, and eleven were flying about and
feeding.

Today, about midday, a Greater yellowlegs afforded a close and marvelous
study of behavior and plumage on the tidal flats at the Des Moines Creek
Beach Park. Food was so abundant here, small fishes caught about every
three minutes, that the bird was not particularly spooky when people
walked fairly close, moving to within fifteen feet of me. This is the
my most educational experience ever for this species. Dennis Paulson's
book "Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest" gives a detailed description of
all plumages and known behaviors of this bird. It did not call; so I HAD
to study it closely to be sure! Great fun, even on a "common" species.

Labor Day is so wonderful at the Marina; it means the end of the summer
mobs of people. YaHoo!

[So terribly sad about the death of Princess Diana; I felt she was sincere
in her efforts to make the world a kinder place. She will be missed.]

Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA