................Zillions of BUFFLEHEADS, some GADWALLS---and other "more
mundane" winter resident ducks----nothing unusual at Julia Butler
Whitetail NWR at Cathlamet, Wash. Marsh Wrens and Finches flitting around.
................1000's of logs that spilled off the ocean freighter are
piled up on the beach at the north end of LeadbetterPoint , Long Beach
Peninsula, Wash. About 3 dozen more logs scattered along the west side
beach and marsh along Willapa Bay the length of Leadbetter Point State
Park.. All logs have been picked up on the ocean side, but very soft
sand and saltwater marsh on the Bay side is presenting retrieval problems.
................Again lots of Bufflehead and 2 Bald Eagles on a sand
bar(low tide) in the bay. Some flocks of DUNLIN were present, but
surprising lack of shorebirds in general ( Temps. in low 40's, cloudy,
and a cold, stiff east wind may have been a factor here).Peregrine
Falcon were reported seen.
................Sunday better with periods of sun. Several hundred
White-winged and Surf Scoters just off the shore of ocean near
Oysterville Rd.(north end of peninsula). A number of them appeared
totally black (BLACK SCOTERS???). Gulls everywhere--- 100's along the
beach(receeding low tide)---many noisily squabbling over washed up fish
remains. Several huge undulating black clouds of DUNLIN--constantly
moving seen. The rest of the usual winter shorebirds were were not
present----Where did they go???
................Again, nothing really that unusual for winter. But
then----I didn't really take the time to do *serious* birding this time
around.
.................Cheers.

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net