This is a belated report from Shi Shi beach, located on the Washington coast
just south of Cape Flattery (T32NR15W). Shi Shi stretches from Portage Head to
Point of Arches.

We made our trip from July 25-28th.

Along the 2 miles of beach, we found only four bird carcasses over the four day
period. One was a Northern Fulmar on the 25th. There were a couple of gulls,
probably one Glaucous-wing (or hybrid) and one California. And on the 28th,
there was one dead Tufted Puffin at Point of Arches.

Among live birds, there were at least a dozen Tufted Puffins seen the 26th -
28th, among feeding frenzy mixed flocks a hundred yards or so off shore on
rising tides. With the puffins were Rhinocerous Auklets, a few Common Murres,
Pigeon Guillemots, Surf and White-winged Scoter, Pelagic Cormorant, a probable
Pacific Loon, and gulls.

On the beaches at fresh water outlets were hundreds of gulls, almost all adult
California. My wife pointed out that all along the beach, juveniles could be
found. Those tweenagers apparently can't sit still -- their hunger is too
great.

Also on the beach were Semipalmated Plover and Western Sandpiper on the 25th
and 26th, possibly a Sanderling on the 26th, and a couple of Spotted Sandpiper
on the 25th.

On the rocks, mostly south of Point of Arches, about 15 Harlequin Duck on the
27th (no alternate plumaged males) and at least 15 Black Oystercatcher. Black
Oystercatcher are LOUD!!!!

Plenty of Bald Eagles (at least 5 individuals), one or two Osprey, and at least
one Peregrine Falcon comprised the raptor list.

For mammals, there were deer, racoon, at least 13 Sea Otters floating just off
Point of Arches at low tide, and a Harbor Seal.

Surprising to me were the Black Swift over Point of Arches. I always thought
they were only at high altitudes during breeding season.

It was a really nice trip.

== Michael Hobbs
== Kirkland WA
== hummer at isomedia.com