Hi Tweets

Colin Thoreen, Brendon McGarry, Allen Grenon and I spent the day down
around Hoquiam and Tokeland. We arrived at Hoquiam early and proceeded
to scan the various CANADA GOOSE flocks. Lots of those, including some
nice looking duskies. In one of the flocks were three SNOW GEESE and a
couple of odd looking hybrids (probably with Greylag genes). But, no
PINK-FOOTED GEESE. Everyone we talked to agreed that they had not seen
any likely suspects. We checked the field at the end of K Street, which
was totally vacant.

A large variety of ducks was on the Hoquiam pond - MALLARDS, GADWALL,
BUFFLEHEAD, GREATER and LESSER SCAUP, NORTHERN SHOVELERS, GREE-WINGED
TEAL, RUDDY DUCK, HOODED MERGANSERS, RING-NECKED DUCK among others.

We then headed down to Tokeland. When we arrived we found Marcus Roening
and Heather, and Charlie Wright and Carol Schulz. Marcus told us that
when they arrived early this morning the HUDSONIAN and all the other
godwits were on the beach right below the parking area. They had nice
looks, and then the morning activity began at the marina. The birds all
flew, and when the godwits settled on the float there was no sign of the
HUDSONIAN. We all continuously scanned the approximately 800 MARBELED
GODWITS and a few WILLETS, a WHIMBREL, and some dowitchers, but with no
luck. After about 15-20 minutes a new flock of godwits came in and in
among them was this smaller, greyer bird with darkish underwings. As it
flared in we got a great view of the black terminal tail band with a
wide white area above. The HUDSONIAN settled in among the Marbleds and
periodically disappeared. We were able to keep relocating it, and
finally got a good location on the road where we could keep it in sight.
Much of the time it's head was buried, and it continually tried to keep
clear of it's larger neighbors. Periodically it would raise it's short,
bicolored bill, sometimes preen and then go back to sleep. Everyone
present eventually got looks.

The TROPICAL KINGBIRD was located today at 3rd and Emerson. I variously
perched on the wires or on snags and sallied forth for insects. A nicely
colored bird, and generally cooperative.

There were many HORNED LARKS at Midway Beach, with a great variety of
types and plumages. Some were extremely brightly colored. Mixed in with
them was a PALM WARBLER.

All in all a most satisfying day.

Brian Bell
Woodinville Wa
bellasoc at isomedia.com