Hello All,

I ventured over to the coast today (29 October) where the HUDSONIAN GODWIT
was located immediately upon arrival at the Tokeland Marina. The bird was
first noted at about 12:20 p.m. on the incoming tide in the large MARBLED
GODWIT/WILLET flock on the small beach just south and outside of the fishing
dock breakwater. Shortly thereafter the flock flew up and around the
general marina area landing on one of the finger piers extending from the
boat launch. The bird was picked out in the flock rather easily by its
smaller size, bold white supercilium and grayish coloration. The
supercilium is quite distinctive even when the bird is resting with its bill
tucked under its wing. The white rump with strongly contrasting black
terminal band and wing stripes were well noted as the flock flew around the
area.

I also checked out the Graveyard Spit area (off of Seventh Street in
Tokeland and just north of the Bayshore RV Park) in hopes of relocating the
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper found by Ruth and Patrick Sullivan. While I could
not find the Sharpie, the area was excellent for shorebirds with good
numbers of DUNLIN, , more MARBLED GODWITS, LONG-BILLED CURLEWS, a few
DOWITCHERS, BLACK-BELLIED and SEMIPALMATED plovers as well as a scattering
of WESTERN and LEAST sandpipers. Also at this location were two RED KNOTS
and an adult THAYER'S GULL.

Returning to the marina at about 2:30 p.m. for a last look for the HUDSONIAN
GODWIT, I found the flock perched on the dock just inside the breakwater
adjacent to the fishing pier. After a few minutes of sifting through the
tightly-huddled flock, I again found the HUDSONIAN by looking for the white
supercilium. The bird was watched for some time until the flock rose again
and the HUDSONIAN circled back over the road for excellent in-flight looks.

Cheers and Good Birding,
Ted Kenefick
Seattle, WA

tedk at nwlink.com