Today John Williams and I hit the coast starting at Tokeland where shortly after 8 am we found the tide high and Godwits and Willets flying in large groups which made it difficult to keep track of all of them. The was 1 Red Knot and 1 Long-billed Dowitcher hanging out with the Godwits and after 30 mins or so we located the Hudsonian Godwit when we first flushed a large Godwit flock at the very southern most point at Tokeland.

We nexted tried for the Cattle Egret, but it had moved on leaving cold, wet looking cows. We also dipped on the Palm Warbler as the wind was making pishing worthless. At Westport we found 10 Rock Sandpipers and 1 Surfbird below the wooden platform near the restrooms. We had very close looks when we noted one Rock Sandpiper was larger and lighter in color.

Near the base of the jetty at Westport we had 1 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Black Scoters, and 1 Red Phalarope.

Our next stop was the base of Ocean Shores Jetty at Point Brown. The wind was strong here so only stayed about 20 mins. In that time we located 11+ Northern Fulmar, 2 Black-legged Kittiwakes, Many Short-tailed Shearwaters most of which were just off the point of the jetty, but some were in very close, and another Red Phalarope. There was 1 light phased Northern Fulmar dead near the base of the jetty. All flying Fulmars we saw were dark phased birds. Even had one land on the sand in front of us then paddled away on it's takeoff as if the sand was water.

We tried for the Ross's Geese at Nisqually NWR, but could only find one domestic white goose. Did have a nice looking adult Peregrine Falcon.

Ken Knittle, Vancouver, WA
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