My favorite means of birding in a storm is to do so from a sailboard.
Binoculars and field guides are best left in the car, but I've gotten great
close-up views of fork tailed storm petrels and Dall porpoises. Birdsailing
in a good storm is a great way to enjoy the nuances of the flight of sea
birds. During any big day-time wind storm you can find dozens of sailors at
Fort Stevens, Golden Gardens, and Magnuson Park.

Image stabilizing binoculars are very helpful in windy conditions, but not
all are waterproof; I've had the chance to use them from small boats and
from shore, but I'm not yet skilled enough to use them from the sailboard.
;)
Yesterday on Lake Sammamish I had a common loon just north of Tibbets Creek,
and the usual scattered flocks of western grebes. The loon kept surfacing
right near my drifting boat, and each time would cry in alarm just before
diving away. Finally after three dives it swam far enough to calm down and
stay on the surface.

Kevin Li
Seattle, WA
e-mail: kevin.li at metrokc.gov