.........As reported, the Lapland Longspurs were at the South Jetty near
Astoria. 1 or 2 males were spotted by another birder, but after spending
time looking for awhile, all I could see were females or juveniles. Some
Brown Pelicans still around. Lots of Canada Geese(Cacklers) passing high
overhead.
.........Sunday: On the ocean beach north of Oysterville Road on Long
Beach Peninsula, Wash. there were multitudes of shorebirds. Walked only
a few miles up the beach, seeing only the basic menu of fall-winter
residents: Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Western Sandpipers,
several species of Gulls, Dunlin, and a few Short-billed Dowitchers.
Flocks seemed 'jittery', constantly moving out over the water and back,
making it difficult at times to scope every bird in the large flocks.
Weather was fantastic.
.........Observed in the Sitka spruces outside my back motel window
Sunday morn. some wrens, Golden-crowned Sparrows, and Juncos--nothing
really steller. However, one small 3-4" bird, for a fleeting 10-15
seconds, darted from branch to branch 2 feet from my window, before
disappearing from view. It had the black and white head 'barring' like a
Black-throated Gray Warbler, but with a wide red 'up and down' throat
patch. Don't remember beak color. Did'nt stay in view long enough to get
a through view of the rest of the body, but it was noted it was black
and white patterned also. I could find *nothing* in the bird manual to
describe 'this pretty little critter' Thought of Downey Woodpecker, but
overall size and placement of red didn't match. So,guess I will leave
pondering one more great mystery of life!!!
Good nite to all..............

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