Hello Tweets,

Just a quick report direct from the Port Angeles Public Library! Today
was cloudy, foggy, and a bit inclement so the only raptor seen was an
immature bald eagle flying along the coast. The usual cormorants, gulls,
oystercatchers, harlequin ducks, scoters, alcids, etc., are in residence
for fall. Following is a short run down of our more interesting visitors
plus turkey vulture numbers for a few days.

17 Sept - lots of waterfowl flying on the strait from west to east, but
no raptors or anything unusual

18 Sept - a foggy day. Hundreds of violet-green and tree swallows came
to shore out of the fog from 0930 on through until early afternoon. It
was quite interesting to see them materialize, hit the kelp mats and
begin swirling around (catching insects?), then continue on east along
the coast. A few other unidentified passerines also came in today.
Raptors included a peregrine.

21 Sept - 102 turkey vultures plus several other raptors; Heermann's
gulls around also today. In the late afternoon, two parasitic jeagers,
flying tandem, were seen flying west out in the strait - impressive,
determined flight.

23 Sept - 225 turkey vultures. Other raptors included two merlins, an
immature Peale's peregrine, plus redtails, sharpies, and harriers. A
small flock of 7 sandhill cranes also came in the strait heading southwest.

We have seen the usual sea lion or two, lots more dolphins (species
unknown) this year, plus absolutely NO brown pelicans. The usual
sea/marine birds are scarcer, but we believe it has to do with fish runs
more than anything after talking with many people, or, it may just be too
early or something.

Also saw two flocks of black brant coming in the strait on about the
21st. That's about it, but more will come!!

Diann MacRae, Coordinator
Olympic Vulture Study
tvulture at halcyon.com

Please note that this is a temporary e-mail address. If posting to it so
I can receive it here, please cc to the tvulture at halcyon.com address.
Thanks.

The Olympic Vulture Study monitoring station is situated at Salt Creek
County Park, 16 miles west of Port Angeles off SR112. Funding for 1998
is from the Baille Foundation of Canada and the Northwest Ecological
Research Institute.