Subject: RBA: Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 3 Crabs, 11/1, 1.30pm
Date: Nov 03 10:59:54 1997
From: Stuart MacKay - smackay at ricochet.net


Liz Stockwell and I saw a juv. sharp-tailed sandpiper on the ponds at
the 3 Crabs Restuarant, Sequim, today 11/1. The bird appeared at 13.30
and was observed at close range c20-30 yards for about half an hour when
the bird appeared to leave the area - flying off in a SE direction for a
far as the eye (binoculars) could see.

With the sunshine this was a stunning bird: bright chestnut crown,
creamy, yellow supercilium and one feature not noted in the field guides
- bright chestnut tertials - apparently the whole feather not simply
edging.

Other hightlights at 3 Crabs:

72 long billed dowitchers
140 snipe
22 dunlin

The usual pintails, American wigeon and mallards.

Other noteworthy birds today:

At Crockett Lake:
1 female rufous phase Eurasion wigeon.
1 short-eared owl.

Off Point Wilson:

20+ Harlequin ducks
Dozens of ancient murrelets
Lots of pacific loons
6+ marbled murrelets
14 Heerman's gulls.

Not bad, back out there again tomorrow - that sharp-tail is a must see.
Definitely the most beautiful shorebird I've ever seen. Hight tide is
around 2pm - the best time to visit 3 crabs.

Stuart MacKay, Seattle, WA.