Hello Tweets,

Today my mother and I traveled over to Pt.Angeles in search of the Common Eider,which we successfully observed between 10am-12pm at the previous location mentioned by other observers. The bird was easily observed from the blue observation tower west of the Pt.Angeles ferry terminal and the nearby Valley Creek Estuary Park,which are both accessed near the intersection of Front and Cherry Streets. The bird was observed by several birders at fairly close range during our visit and we obtained many photos,despite the dark,rainy conditions at times,but conditions cleared towards the end of our visit. At times the bird came closer towards the blue observation tower resulting in the best scoping views,as the bird foraged and preened in the water,as well as dove for mollusks,etc and was also observed loafing on several floating log booms close to shore west of the blue observation tower. The bird seemed very comfortable and wasn't wary or cautious,except when a group of Harbor Seals came too close to the floating log booms as it rested lifting it's head as they swam by and being aware of their presence. It was truly a great bird to see for both of us and probably most of all the other observers too,especially those adding it to their life list. Hopefully for bird will remain in the general vicinity and continue to be observed by many birders. Other noteworthy species observed during our visit to Pt.Angeles Harbor included the following:

2 Red-necked Grebes
2 Harlequin Ducks
4 Surf Scoters
2 Least Sandpipers

On our way home we checked for shorebirds between 3 Crabs and the Dungeness Oyster House at Dungeness during outgoing tide between 1pm-1:40pm, and we didn't cover the area thoroughly due to very windy conditions. Our first stop was made above the Dungeness Oyster House overlooking the mouth of the Dungeness River and distant Dungeness Spit. At this location in our spotting scopes we observed an adult Bar-tailed Godwit in alternate plumage,which was observed amongst a large flock of other shorebirds,but foraged closest to Black-bellied Plovers and were nearly equal in overall size,so we figure that the bird going by size was a male. The bird remained actively feeding with Black-bellied Plovers and other nearby shorebirds allowing greatest view of the bird from the overlook location,but upon further looks and observations from the Dungeness Oyster House and the presence of an immature Peregrine Falcon we were unable to obtain any photographs.The bird's overall plumage was striking with rust to brick red upperparts with clear white underparts with some "scalloping" along the flanks with a checkered mantle and back pattern with the head showing an obvious white supercillium. The bicolored upturned bill was moderate in length and in flight the rather checkered back and upperwings contrasted to a barred white rump and whitish underwings,which was observed several times.This was our first time encountering this species at this location,but do know there are several records from this general location and we are hoping others that may try for the Common Eider will consider searching for this bird too in upcoming days. The mouth of the Dungeness River produced the greatest diversity of shorebirds comparing to our visit to 3 Crabs(including the 3 Crabs "pond")with a total of 9 species of shorebirds observed,including the following species:

108 Black-bellied Plovers
57 Semipalmated Plovers
88 Sanderlings
195+ Western Sandpipers
168+ Least Sandpipers
24 Short-billed Dowitchers
13 Long-billed Dowitchers

Early in the day on our drive to Pt.Angeles we made a very quick stop along Hwy.101 at Blyn(West Sequim Bay)that produced 42 Black-bellied Plovers and 28+ Western Sandpipers along with 34 Bonaparte's Gulls amongst a larger gull flock.



Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit at worldnet.att.net