...........Spent 3 days at the Wash. coast (Long Beach Peninsula) last
weekend. Nothing much birdwise on the south end of the beach due to the
cars, 4-wheelies, and people. Nice fireworks display( now if we can get
many people to clean up their litter!!!!). Hundreds of beer and wine
bottles, along with fireworks casings and assorted paper litter didn't
do much for my Sunday morn. walk along the beach.
........... The north end of the beach was quieter and more enjoyable
for hiking(no motor vehicles allowed). Small flocks of Sanderlings and
Western Sandpipers kept me company . A small number of Semipalmated
Plovers showed up occasionly, mixing with the rest of the peeps. Several
small groups of Common Murres flew along the shoreline, along with Brown
Pelicans and Cormorants(either Brandt's or Pelagic). Numerous
black-looking seabirds were flying further out over the ocean, too far
off to identify. Caspian Terns were present in sizable numbers, along
with a Heerman's Gull.
...........Must have been a rough year for Sea Lions. Found several more
dead sea lions washed up on shore.
...........Also pedaled my 12-speed bike around White-tail Deer refuge
and surrounding countryside near Cathalmet, Wash. on Friday. Like the
beach weather---cool and cloudy with areas of drizzle and light rain
showers. Birds seen were almost the same species as I saw at Ridgefield
Nat'l WR last weekend that I reported on. Wrens, Sparrows, Goldfinches,
and Swallows "ruled the roost".Killdeer seemed abundant.
...........The most interesting sight I say was when I was peddling
along Highway 4 that borders the north side of the refuge. I saw 11
Turkey Vultures sitting in a row on the wire fence. I wondered what was
the major attraction for this crowd, till I saw a 12th Vulture fly out
of the deep grass in the roadside ditch. Upon closer observation I saw
the half-eaten carcass of a young deer(probably 'roadkill') Anyway, I
didn't know (till now) that there were these many Vultures even present
in this area, not withstanding seeing them all present in one
place!!!!!!!!
---------Well, enough of this bantering!! You all have a good
day.

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net