Fall Shorebird Forecast for 1999

The diversity peak for Fall shorebirds is fast approaching. The following
is a forecast combining hightide data for Clatsop Beaches with past peak
data. The forecast is based on high tide birding at the South Jetty
of the Columbia River, parking lot c shorebird flats. Adjustments to
your patch will be necessary. As with all forecast data, the providers
include no guarantees for accuracy.

Additional information on shorebird finding on the Columbia Estuary is
available at:
http://home.pacifier.com/~mpatters/archive/shore_guide.html

Aug 25 to Sep 1
The combination of full moon and 8+ tides favors medium to
large species including Marbled Godwit, Long-billed Curlew, and Ruff.
Afternoon high tides
Aug 25 12:49 7.0
Aug 26 13:25 7.3
Aug 27 13:59 7.6
Aug 28 14:31 7.8
Aug 29 15:04 8.1
Aug 30 15:39 8.2
Aug 31 16:17 8.3
Sep 01 17:02 8.2

Best bet Aug 31. Watch the weather for afternoon frontal activity.

Sep 09 to Sep 13
New moon does not favor nighttime migration, but Pectoral Sandpipers,
and Golden-plovers should peak at this period. Good time for Eurasian
Dotterel, so keep an eye out in those cow pastures.
Afternoon high tides
Sep 09 13:12 7.9
Sep 10 13:49 8.0
Sep 11 14:23 8.0
Sep 12 14:55 8.0
Sep 13 15:25 7.8
This is also the peak for passerine migrations around parking lot c and
d
at Ft Stevens. Most rare passerines occur after peak movements.

Sep 25 to Sep 30
Another full moon, but late in the season. There should still be
Pectoral Sandpipers and Golden-plovers. This is a good time to start
looking for Sharp-tails and Lapland Longspurs.
Afternoon High tides
Sep 25 13:17 8.2
Sep 26 13:51 8.5
Sep 27 14:25 8.8
Sep 28 15:02 8.8
Sep 29 15:43 8.7
Sep 30 16:30 8.4

This is a very high tide cycle. Those planning to go to SJCR to do
there shorebirding should arrive at least 2 hrs before high tide.
--
Mike Patterson The common view of science is that it is a sort of machine
Astoria, OR for increasing the race's store of dependable facts.
mpatters at oregonvos.net It is that only in part; in even larger part
it is a machine for upsetting undependable facts.

----- H.L.Mencken
http://www.pacifier.com/~mpatters/bird/bird.html