Hi Tweets, I joined in on the guided walk out the Sandpiper trail today at
Bowerman Basin (Grays Harbor NWR). Phil Kelley led the walk that started at
9am. High tide didn't bring the shorebirds too close today, but with a lot
of scoping we were able to pick out 7 species of shorebirds. From highest
to lowest concentrations, here is the list: Western Sandpiper, Semipalmated
Plover, Dunlin, Least Sandpiper, Dowitcher spp. (too far to really tell),
Red Knot, and Whimbrel. The Red Knots were difficult to pick out but there
were at least 10 of them mixed in. Also, the Whimbrel were a fly over not
seen by many of the folks there. We were also treated to great views of a
Merlin moving around the area. It made a couple passes at the shorebirds,
but it didn't seem to have any success.

On the sewage pond, there were Lesser Scaup, Northern Shoveler, Ring-necked
Duck, Gadwall, Mallard, and a couple Cinnamon Teal. Great Blue Herons were
a constant sight flying overhead.

On a side note, I stopped by the Brady Loop area on the way to Hoquiam. In
a recently plowed field just north of Willis St., there was a large flock of
approximately 100 Whimbrel working the field. To my surprise, I also found
one Marbled Godwit mixed in with the Whimbrel. I'm not sure how unusual it
is to have a godwit this far away from the ocean is, but its definitely a
first for me in the Brady area. I also had a nice little flock of about 10
American Pipits playing next to one of the remaining small puddles along
Brady Loop Rd..

I'll see everyone tomorrow at the Shorebird Festival! Good birding!

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA