Columbia Estuary Report - 5/31/97

BROWN PELICANS have moved into the area in summer numbers.
89 were on the jetty beach on Friday in high winds (~40kts).
PACIFIC LOONS are still around in good numbers about 30% of
individuals are in basic plumage. There is a movement of
RING-BILLED GULL most in first summer plumage. 116 were on
the jetty beach Friday, 160 were there on Sunday and good number
were heading north on Clatsop Beach during the Sunday morning
shorebird count.

High numbers of BLUE-WINGED TEAL have remained on the estuary
including two at the mitigation bank near Astoria Airport that
appear to be setting up housekeeping.

A single BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, a DOWITCHER, 2 LEAST SANDPIPERS
and 3 BONAPART'S GULLS were among the usuals at parking lot D.
A run of the beach between Peter Iredale and Del Rey produced
only 129 SANDERLINGS and no other shorebirds. There were 4
WHIMBREL at the Necannicum Estuary. The spring shorebird
migration seems to be over.



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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