Subject: Around the "world" in 2 days..........
Date: Mar 6 19:03:26 2000
From: Gerald Hamilton - gerald at e-z.net


.............Went to Astoria Saturday. Stopped at the Eagle Sanctuary at
the viewing platform on old Highway 30 turnoff just a bit east of
Astoria . The tide was high and the mydriads of ducks were relatively
close in for viewing. Lots of Scaups and Buffleheads among other more
common ducks. 3 very large noisy Canada Geese among 16 Swans
observed(....due to distance unable to acertain whether Trumpeter or
Tundra, but upon hearing their calling, I would say Tundra Swans). One
lone Harrier Hawk swooped down over all.
.............At 6th Ave Columbia River viewing platform in downtown
Astoria, saw a number of Surf Scoters along with Lesser Scaup ,
Bufflehead, and 3 Pelagic Cormorants.(and....1 tiny Coot under the
buildings)
............At SJCR(South jetty of Col. River) the tide was very high
with a strong wind and the surf was really crashing against the rocks.
10-12 Surfbirds were going back and forth--pecking at the jetty rocks. 7
Surf Scoters just out in the ocean. All else appeared pretty quiet, with
the exception of 1 Marsh Wren.
............Parking Lot D.........south side slough yielded some
Canvasbacks, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Western Grebes, and other more
common diving ducks(the late afternoon sun and the glare on the water
made further identification very difficult) As the tide went out
hundreds of shorebirds began showing up--primarily West. Sandpipers,
Dunlin, and Sanderlings. North wind very brisk with blowing sand and
choppy waters om the Columbia River. Again, there certainly was no
shortage of Surf Scoters!!!!
...........A stiff north very cold north wind made whitecaps on Willapa
Bay with a very high tide, with all winged creatures apparently in more
sheltered area--nothing interesting observed!!! A Great Egret
side-by-side with a G. Blue Heron, and some Western Grebes in and by the
restaurant at Nacotta boat basin north end of Peninsula.
...........1 Common Loon observed in the wetlands along Naselle River. A
fair amount of Canvasbacks swimming east side of Willapa Bay.
...........It was getting dark when I made A quick pass through Columbia
White-tail Deer Refuge near Cathlamet, Wash. Saw some Hooded Mergansers
and more Scaup, but really didn't have the time to search more
thoroughly.
...........Even though the sun was out most of the time, the cold strong
north winds in 45'-50 degree temps. kept most people off the beaches.
...........Cheers!!!!!!!!!

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash
gerald2e-z.net