Ruth,

beginning of migration is a little optimistic; this pile of dunlin and
plovers has been there at Kennedy Creek, well, probably all winter. I first
saw them on Jan. 17th, when I estimated 2,000 dunlin and 200 bb plovers
(though how one does accurate estimations of dunlin escapes me; they're
little, and they move around all the time. My estimate could easily be off
by 2-3,00.) I observed large numbers again on the 20th, 25th, and Feb 5th
(estimated 400 plover and 3,000 dunlin), the last time I was out there,
unfortunately. There was also a report from Chris Chapell sometime in Feb.,
I think, with similar numbers. It certainly is a great show, though...

At 6:32 PM -0700 4/5/98, Ruth Sullivan wrote:
>Hello Tweeters,
>On Kennedy Creek today i watched a Spectacular display of Shorebirds.i went
>on a incomming Tide around 10.30AM, i took one look, and could not believe
>what i saw. This large amount of beach was full of shorebirds bussy
>feeding. An rougly estimation 5000 and so Birds.I Scoped for 30 minutes,
>and found out, there where only 3 Species:Killdeer Black-bellied Plover and
>all the Dunlin's.Some of the Back-bellied Plover's where already in full
>breeding Plumage. This is the first time since i been going there for the
>past six years, to see this large amount at one time. Something always
>stirred them up, so there was this beautifull synchronized pattern of
>flight, it was spectacular to watch!!!!!!


Rob Saecker
Olympia