Columbia Estuary Report - 5/17/98

Unless you've been living under a rock, you are certainly aware
that the BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEWS reported last Saturday have been
at the South Jetty of the Columbia River all week demonstrating
the correct method for dismembering SHORE CRABS. A single
WHIMBREL was on the flats on Sunday giving the assembled throng a
chance for direct comparisons. 33 more WHIMBREL flew by in the
2 hours I spent in the area.

Cool Seawatch birds include 2 PARSITIC JAEGERS, a COMMON TERN and
a RED-NECKED PHALAROPE.

There were 2500 sandpipers on Clatsop Beach between Sunset Access
and Del Rey on Saturday about 2000 were SANDERLINGS, most in
bright alternate plumage. The remainder split between DUNLIN and
WESTERN SANDPIPERS.

Numbers on Wireless Rd have been a bit disappointing. The lack of
rain has dried out most of the good pot holes, but a few LONG-
BILLED DOWITCHERS, DUNLIN, LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS are still
around in smallish flocks.


--

Mike Patterson, Astoria, OR _Birds and other Wildlife of the
mpatters at orednet.org Columbia River Estuary_
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/book_ad.html