Subject: Gray's Harbor 7/26
Date: Jul 27 00:17:12 2002
From: Birdking88 at aol.com - Birdking88 at aol.com


Hello Tweeters,
I went out to the coast today along with Fred Boesche. It was a good,
but very slow day. We didn't have any true precipitation, other than mist in
some areas. There was a rather constant northwesterly wind, and it seemed
quite chilly at times. It only cleared partly in the afternoon. We checked
most of the spots in the Ocean Shores area and were surprised at the near
lack of any peeps in the area. We probably saw less than 50 Westerns the
whole day, and surprisingly about an equal number of Leasts. Juveniles have
arrived, and we saw several species in juvenal plumage throughout the day. We
did have a couple of highlights, the best two were an adult female BAR-TAILED
GODWIT in near alternate plumage, and a juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. The
godwit was first picked out in flight with a flock of 18 Marbled Godwits and
30 or so dowitchers on the shore just west of the Ocean Shores Marina as seen
from Catala Avenue behind the interpretive center. The bird landed and we got
excellent views of all field marks. This bird has an especially long bill.
The Semipalmated Sandpiper was on the outer shoreline near the inlet to the
Damon Point slough/pond and was the only shorebird in view at the time. The
bird was videotaped through the scope before it flew in the direction of the
game range, calling as it flew off.
A hike out to the game range from Marine View Drive was largely
unproductive. Surf and White-winged Scoters were seen in usual numbers, and
my first BLACK SCOTER of the season was among them. An early HERRING GULL was
observed on the beach, along with a large number of California Gulls, but no
shorebirds were around. We then walked out to the pond where we saw the
SemiSand, plus a scattering of Western Sandpipers and a Spotted Sandpiper
which seemed out of place. We then headed over to the jetty where a good
movement of Sooty Shearwaters was noted. We had around 500 of them flying
past. An early BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was flying around with gulls at the tip
of the jetty. Other birds there included a flock of phalaropes and a jaeger
sp. just too far out to ID with certainty -- the jaeger appeared large enough
to be a Pomarine but a better look was necessary. A couple of porpoises
(Harbor Porpoises?) and a California Sea Lion were also about. We checked a
few more spots in the Ocean Shores area, all of which were mostly dead. My
first BAIRD'S SANDPIPER of the year was the only other highlight; seen along
Burrows Road. All for now, good birding.

Charlie Wright
Birdking88 at aol.com
Sumner, WA