Subject: RE: Leadbetter Point
Date: Nov 4 12:51:08 1997
From: Jane Stewart - StewJ at FOSTER.com


Henry--Thank you so much.

Tweeters--I am going to Leadbetter over Thanksgiving. Henry provided
such good information; I thought I should post it.

Jane Stewart
Research Center
Foster Pepper & Shefelman PLLC
(206) 447-6474
f(206) 447-9700
1111 Third Avenue, 3400
Seattle, WA 98101-3299

>----------
>From: Henry Gilmore[SMTP:hgilmore at willapabay.org]
>Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 1997 9:00AM
>To: Jane Stewart
>Subject: Re: Leadbetter Point
>
>Jane,
> There are several good sites to visit while here. Leadbetter Point is best
>visited about 3 hours before high tide and you will need a scope since the
>birds are on sandbars out in the bay. Unfortunately their pattern of
>dispersal at high tide has changed. They used to come into the shore area
>and the arm of the bay between marsh and Grassy Island ( no longer an
>island), but this has changed lately and they have been flying off to the
>beaches west and north of the point. However, do walk up along the shore as
>far as you can to get the best views as the tide rises.
> There are also trails that cross the Point and you can reach the beach for
>additional birding. The north or Gold trail is the best but it is 1.8
>miles to the beach and can be flooded in areas. The marsh should produce
>some nice raptors, so keep an eye out.
> Beach birding can be very good and you are allowed to drive on the beach,
>but be careful in your selection of approaches to get on and off the beach.
> Use the main approaches and avoid any others. The tow companies love the
>unwary. I walk the beaches most days and have found some interesting birds
>blown in lately. A couple had a bird in hand the other day, which we
>cleaned up and identified as a Short-tailed Shearwater.
> On the bay side Nahcotta Harbor and area can be interesting at times. It
>is located off Sandridge Road north of Ocean Park on the way to
>Oysterville. At low tide check the flats and grass area behind the Ark
>Restaurant.
> The Lewis Unit of Willapa Bay NWR can be quite rewarding if you like to
>walk. It is located off Hwy. 101 near the bridge crossing the Bear River.
>You will pass it as you travel down Hwy. 101 to Long Beach. After you
>cross the Bear River bridge at the southern end of Willapa Bay it will be
>the first road on your right. You drive up the road about 1/2 mile to the
>parking lot and then you can walk out the road to the dike that is at the
>south end of Willapa Bay. It is easy walking and you can walk about 4
>miles along the dike or less. There are pond and marsh areas on your left
>and the bay on your right. Good area for ducks, geese, raptors and marsh
>birds.
> The harbor at Ilwaco provides good views over Baker Bay and the Columbia
>River. You can drive out to the boat launching area for good views.
> From Ilwaco you can drive out to Fort Canby State Park for some excellent
>birding in the campgrounds, the jetty, the beach, and the boat launch
>opposite the park entrance ( Yellow-billed Loons have been seen every
>winter in this area and a Gyrfalcon has been seen yearly over Sand Island
>(the large island opposite the launch area). Do take time to check out the
>Lewis and Clark Exhibit Building area and the view overlooking the Columbia
>River.
> If you go north from Ft. Canby you will circle back to Ilwaco, but on the
>way do stop at the North Head Lighthouse for great views over the Pacific
>Ocean and the Columbia River Jetties and bar. The parking lot at Beards
>Hollow usually has some interesting birds in the woods and marshy areas.
>It is located just north from the North Head Lighthouse turnoff.
> Other areas to visit are Chinook Harbor, Chinook Valley Road for raptors
>and sparrows, Stringtown Road for shorebirds and raptors. I think I had
>better stop now or you might fall asleep reading this ode to the area.
> I will probably be around at the time of your visit and if you need more
>information or more specific information regarding the area, do not
>hesitate to give me a call at 665-6230.
>
>Henry Gilmore
>Surfside, WA
>hgilmore at willapabay.org
>