Greetings All

I think that the MTN PLOVER is a juv. Looking at video taken Thursday, there
seems to be some widely margined feathers on the mantle that have fairly
extensive buff edges. Most of the feathers seem to have narrower grayish
edges consistent with basic plumage (both adult and 1st basic). So a first
year bird mostly in 1st basic plumage makes sense. It is hard to be certain,
given my lack of experience on this issue, but the references seem to point
in this direction.

Seawatching from the North Head Lighthouse was slow, with very few birds
present, but one FULMAR did spend some time fairly near shore. The
WHITE-TAILED KITES (4) were still present N of Chinook on Chinook Valley Rd
and 25 or so WF GEESE flew overhead there.

At Bay Center, we were surprised by an AM BITTERN. They seem to be much more
numerous this winter than typical. We had more WF GEESE at Bay Center as well
as a nice assortment of CANADA GOOSE races. At the Raymond Airport, there
were 5 TRUMPETER SWANS, a fairly unsual bird for Pacific County if I am not
mistaken. We had 8 or so unidentified swans at Tokeland as well.

The GODWIT flock was split about evenly between Tokeland and the mouth of the
North River. At the latter location, there were also many DUNLIN, YELLOWLEGS,
BB PLOVER, and LB DOWS. The highlight there was a LESSER YELLOWLEGS, the
first I have seen during winter in WA. At Tokeland, 12 WILLET remain along
with 2 WHIMBREL, but no sign of the AVOCET.

The final highlight was a light morph HARLANS HAWK about half way between the
Westport Marina and the Red Apple Market in Westport. The bird has some other
race of RT Hawk in it, as there is a fair bit of red in the distal tail and
one or two warm brown feathers in the otherwise blackish brown feathers of
the back.

Best Wishes to all
Steven Mlodinow
SGMlod at aol.com
Everett WA