Subject: Pacific county birds, 10/12/03
Date: Oct 13 06:02:28 2003
From: Alan Richards & Ann Musche' - mrm at willapabay.org



Sighting Date: 10/12/03
Species: Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel, Leach's Storm-Petrel, Northern Fulmar,
Snow Goose; shorebirds, gulls
Location: Tokeland & North Cove & nearby areas, Pacific co., WA

Snow Goose (2 adults) near MP 5, SR105, approx 1 mile W of Raymond airport,
with large gull flock.

Only partly in the aftermath of quite a strong coastal storm. Short
squalls at 3:01 PM, 3:17 PM, 3:50 PM, and many before that. There were
times, especially later in the afternoon, during which some sighting and
counting of birds could take place, even from outside the car, without
getting soaked.

From 2:30 PM to 3 PM, Tokeland Marina:
Marbled Godwits (599) (counted individually, 602 total birds, MAGO & GRYE
only spp. noted then);
Greater Yellowlegs (3).
Then, from 3:40 to 3:45 PM, on bayside across from marina:
Willets (10).

The weather improved, in that the rain abated; the wind became even
stronger, although not from any consistent direction. At different times,
it was from E, SE, W, NW, SW. The waves, especially at the next two
places, out beyond the usual near-shore, were spectacular (viewed from my
safe distance on shore).

From 4:20 to 4:30 PM, at first pull-out on water side of road, just north
of North Cove city limits sign:
Heermann's Gulls (225+; flying in as tide receded, undoubtedly more than
what I counted in brief estimate.)
Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel (4; two singles, one pair, all flying
northwest-ward; swallow-like flight, dark gray dorsal and light gray
ventral, with fairly white upper breast, good sun on some, as weather
cleared a little between squalls.)

From 4:35 to 5 PM, at seaward end of Smith-Anderson Rd:
FTSP (11; singles or pairs, also all flying northwest-ward; )
Leach's Storm-Petrel (1; unexpected, however, in direct comparison with
one of the FTSP, had basically blackish upper and lower surfaces, somewhat
forked tail and white rump patch visible at times, fluttering
butterfly-like flight style all contrasting significantly with the more
swallow-like dipping and gliding flight of the FTSPs seen earlier and
subsequently, as well as the one seen together with this bird.)

From 5:05 to 5:30 PM, at seaward end of Cannery Rd., North Cove:
FTSP (3; together, all flying northward; several other birds, flying
southeast-ward past this viewpoint, provided additional confirmation of the
earlier birds' identity, however, not counted here, as perhaps already seen
going northwest-ward earlier.)
Northern Fulmar (3; the first quite a bit lighter phase than the other two,
seen together, which were darker, more the usual intermediate phase. All
three individuals exhibited thick neck and beak; gliding on stiff rounded
wings; dorsal / ventral colors not contrasting, as they would in gulls,
shearwaters.)

From 5:45 to 6 PM, at Tokeland Marina:
Willets (12) & Whimbrel (2); on bayside across from marina;
Long-billed Dowitcher (2); with godwits on marina side; not seen by me earlier;
Marbled Godwits (still hundreds; I did not count them again).

Alan Richards / Naselle, WA 98638 / USA