Tweeters,

I would just like to thank whoever posted about the "Ivory Gull" at Oak Bay
(Jefferson Co.) this past week. As it happens, I was in Sequim (up from
Portland) this weekend, and remembering the post, I decided to stop over
there (first time) just for the heck of it and to look for a Rock Sandpiper.
So no, I didn't expect to see the gull, but what impressed me was what a
great little place this is to bird. I don't think I have ever found a spot
on any coast where one could comfortably view jetty birds, shorebirds, gulls,
alcids, dabbling ducks and sea ducks all without even having to move your
feet (or your car). Maybe the rarer birds go elsewhere, but for convenience,
especially for someone who doesn't get around too well or doesn't like to
waste a lot of gas, this place can't be beat. So I got to thinking - standing
in ONE spot (OK, you can shuffle your feet a little as you rotate your head)
- are there any other places in the Northwest where one can see the following
variety of birds in say, under a half hours viewing time: WIDGEON, PINTAIL,
MALLARD, DUNLIN, SANDERLING, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER, BUFFLEHEAD, C. GOLDENEYE,
BARROWS GOLDENEYE, BRANDT, CORMORANTS, PIGEON GUILLEMOT, OYSTERCATCHER, BLACK
TURNSTONE, SURFBIRD, at least four species of Gulls, C. LOON, Grebes,
Scoters, Scaup, HARLEQUIN DUCK, RB MERGANSER. This is probably far from a
complete list, too (Oldsquaw, Rock Sandpiper, Eagles?). In addition, all of
the above birds are potentially close enough to view satisfactorily without a
scope. Not bad, I'd say.

So, maybe the "Ivory Gull" wasn't around Sunday, but I expect I'll be back
whenever I head up this way. By the way, THE SPOT is at the end of the Jetty
Rd at the north end of the Bay in a county park (forget the name).

Ken Aldrich
Knald at aol.com
Lake Oswego, OR