Tweets:

Thanks to all the good information on Tweeters, especially Mike Patterson's
great web page, we saw the 2 Bristle-thighed Curlews on Saturday morning at
the South jetty of the Columbia R. We were able to study both of them
closely for at least 30 minutes. Only minor complaint was a small group of
photographers (w/ mostly insufficient lenses) that felt the need to cross
the small stream to get very close (within about 100') of 1 of the birds.
Since these birds were actively foraging and preparing for another long
flight north, I didn't think this was such a good idea.

We should keep in mind that although this phenomenon is a very exciting
event for birders it is probably not the best thing for this species. With
probably a large percentage of the population migrating at this time, an
event like this could result in a poor nesting season or even a certain
amount of mortality en route. I'm sure that these birds are very strong
fliers as evidenced by their annual trans-Pacific migrations, so hopefully
there will be no long term impacts.

We had some time to bird around Fort Stevens and ran into a group of
friendly Portland birders at the battery where we heard several Wrentits and
a Northern Waterthrush among other things. Also thanks to their suggestion
we stopped at Haystack Rock on the way out and got great looks at the Tufted
Puffins (hard to find sitting at first although flying around the rock the
whole time).

Thanks, Charles.

ps. I'll be in and out doing field work for the next few months so am
postponing my Tweeters subscription for the time being. Hope everyone has a
great spring/summer!
^__^ ========================
(0 0) Charles E. Swift
| \/ | charless at umich.edu
\ / Moscow, Idaho
\/ I'm for the birds!
========================