Tweets,

Sorry for the late post but I've been busy getting ny act together for Wenas
this weekend. Had some electrical problems with my pop-up that needed tending
to.

We took our annual bottom fishing trip to Neah Bay last weekend and as usual
it was me the lone birder and 3 others who sometimes tolorate me. The weather
was "typical Neah Bay weather" Thursday and Friday. Showers off and on and
fairly rough seas. We never got past Tatoosh Island.

The only really exciting thing I saw was the possible GODWIT I saw Thursday
afternoon as we got ready to launch the boat. Out in the strait near Seal and
Sail Rocks were COMMON MURREs, PIGEON GUILLEMOTS, HARLEQUIN DUCKS, BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS, RHINOCEROS AUKLETS, and a couple of SANDERLING. Lots of gulls
around. Later, back at the dock I saw WESTERN SANDPIPERS on the beach as well
as SAVANAH SPARROWS along the grassy edges, and a COMMON LOON inside the
marina.

Saturday we finally got decent enough weather to get down to Umatilla Reef and
get some real fishing in. While there, or on the way, I saw TUFTED PUFFIN,
BALD EAGLES, and lots of PACIFIC LOONS (100 +) heading north in groups of up
to 15. Also, lots of PELAGIC CORMORANTS in their white breeding plumage. A big
disappointment was the fact that I only saw 1 FORK-TAILED STORM PETREL.
In past years There were always several between Neah Bay and Tatoosh Island.
Maybe the fact that the weather was bad & the water pretty rough kept me from
seeing more of them.

Sunday morning we went out to Duncon Rock. The seas were rocky, rolly but the
birding was good. Again, lots of PACIFIC LOON heading north, more HARLEQUIN
DUCKS and several SOOTY SHEARWATERS in the area.

As we pulled out I saw a small flock of DUNLIN near the boat launch. All in
all it was a pretty good trip as we did catch some fish and the birding was
pretty good for a colateral activity.

Now if Wenas will just live up to its billing.....See you there.

Phil Kelley
Lacey, WA
scrbjay at aol.com