.................On my way to the coast this weekend, drove around the
perimeter of JBH Whitetail Deer Refuge at Cathlamet, Wash. Though the
usual winter migrant "webfeets" like Buffleheads, Mergs. , Scaup, etc.
were not seen yet, there were many 'Canadas', and.......12 Common Snipes
amid some Killdeer and Mallards feeding in a shallow part of the slough
on the north side of refuge along the road.. A lone White-tailed Kite
was seen overhead, but.....the Black Phoebe was not seen in his usual
location by the office, though I'm sure he was somewheres around. Other
more "mundane" birds seen, but not mentioned.
................Weather along the coast at Long Beach penin.. was
*phenomenal*. Didn't go to my usual places at the north end of
peninsula, as I spend more time visiting friends this time around. Brown
Pelicans frequently seen flying low southwards just of the beach, as
well as some Scoters on the water. Again, the usual winter shorebirds.
In one stretch 10 various colored and sizes of Starfish (along with many
Crabs) were washed up on the beach. They were gone on Sunday, either
buried in the shifting sands or washed back out to sea by the incoming
nighttime tide.
...............Haven't done much 'birdying' the last few months due to
"other preoccupation's", so.......need to get back "in the groove"!!!!
(-:

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