Ken,
Here is what I can contribute to your list.
PaGP: Still being seen as of last week at the Game Range at Ocean
Shores. (the best spot in WA for this species). We had one AmGP there last
Sat. -- the more uncommon of the two species.
BlOy: 10 -15 now hanging around Tongue Point in Salt Creek CP west of
Port Angeles. Oak Bay CP south of Port Townsend is also a fairly dependable
spot as is Ediz Hook.
BlTu: Always some around in Port Angeles Harbor viewed from Ediz Hook.
Look around the Pilot House near the gate to the Coast Guard Station, the
log raft about midway out the hook or the Boat Haven outlet on the east
(This is the marina on the south side of the harbor -- go in the east side
and work as far west and north as you can -- there is a log yard here which
is good for shorebirds). Nearing high tide the rock beachs all around the
harbor side are also good. These areas are also good for RoSa but have not
seen there yet. Try also for RoSa at the jetties at Westport and Ocean
Shores. A little early for RoSa. The earliest I have in my database (except
for two aberrent July records) is one 10-13-01 at Ediz Hook by Steve
Mlodinow and Dennis Duffy.
PaJa: Point No Point (Kitsap Co.) is the best spot. Getting a little
late.
MeGu: Becoming abundant. Anyplace along the coast but you may have to do
a little looking -- not distributed evenly.
ThGu: ? early. The earliest record I have is 10-9-98 seen on Ediz Hook
by Bob Boekelheide. My best spot is the Elwha River Dike (west side of the
Elwha River outlet west of Port Angeles). Lots more in Port Angeles Harbor
but you don't usually get as close a look.
GCSp: Abundant around our feeder. 323 Salt Creek Road. First road north
of WA 112 to the east of Camp Hayden Road (the road to Salt Creek CP). Drop
in if you are out this way. Lots of other places. Should be easy.
LaLongspur: Ocean Shores (Game Range & Damon Point). One was at the Game
Range last Sat.
TrSwan: There should be some up in the Sammish Flats and Skagit Flats by
now.
AnMu: Typically seen from land in Nov. The earliest record I have from
land is 10-14-97, John Wayne Marina, Sequim Bay by Gene Kridler. The best
places to see them are Point Wilson, Fort Worden SP, Port Townsend or a
little further in to Puget Sound at Marrowstone Point, Fort Flagler SP or on
the Port Townsend to Keystone Ferry. Hard to tell. The best way I know to
pick them up is to look for a line of tiny alcids flying single file close
to each other low over the water and suddenly all plunge into the water
simultaneously and then get the scope on them as they come up. No other
alcid that I know of acts like this. This is from land. From the ferry stand
on the front on the passenger deck and see them as they rise in front of the
ferry.
NoSh: Best seen in western WA on the low lying coastal grass stands. Try
the Sammish or Skagit Flats or the area where the Dungeness empties out at
the Three Crabs Restaurant near Sequim. My earliest personal record is
10-23. George Gerdts and Nigel Ball reported one at the Three Crabs on
10-4-98.
Let me know if you need directions to any of the spots or have other
questions. I will cc to Tweeters for others to add their input.


Bob Norton
Joyce (near Port Angeles), WA
norton36 at olypen.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Kallaire at cs.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2002 10:46 AM
Subject: NYC Birder....I'm Baaaaack! RFI.


Dear Tweets;
Greetings, Washington birders! This wandering New York City birder
has found himself unable to resist the lure of your glorious scenery, and is
returning sooner than expected for another go. Actually, I've been unable
to resist the lures of a lovely woman I met on the last trip, but the birds
are nice too.... This visit is primarily a social one, but I've got some
built in birding time to shoot for a few life birds- I should fairly easily
get my 500th Lower 48 species on this trip. I'm arriving on Monday, the
7th, and am staying for 10 days. I'll be staying in Seattle, but also am
spending 2 days on Orcas Island, and I'm taking a day trip to Portland to
see a friend, and have allowed for birding detours along the way. Once
again, I will impose on you for any kind suggestions that would aid in my
search for the following birds. Forgive me if I'm asking after seasonal
impossibilities- I've! guessed as to the best shots from info gleaned from
all published literature, and your reports for the last few weeks. Any way
we can talk that Sharp-tailed Sandpiper into coming back for a day or two?
Here's my wish list:
Pacific Golden-Plover (I know I may be a smidge late)
Black Oystercatcher
Black Turnstone
Red Phalarope
Parasitic Jaeger
Mew Gull
Thayer's Gull
Golden-crowned Sparrow
Lapland Longspur

The following I know are rare or later arrivals, but maybe I'll get
lucky: Yellow-billed Loon, Trumpeter Swan, Rock Sandpiper, Franklin's
Gull, Sabine's Gull, Ancient Murrelet, any number of early winter owls,
Northern Shrike.
Thanks again in advance for your insights- I'm looking forward to
once again gracing your shores, fields and forests.
Happy birding!
Ken Allaire
NYC Birder
kallaire at cs.com