Mary and other Tweeters,
If you're heading out to see the Eider, I'd also suggest you stop by the 3 Crabs/Oyster House area of Dungeness. Yesterday was a bonanza of shorebirds. Seem were Stilt,Pectoral,Baird's and Semipalmated Sandpipers. All plus a Red-necked Phalarope were at the 3 Crabs area. At the Oyster House the Bar-tailed Godwit reported by the Sullivans was present as well. Huge concentrations of birds at both locations.
Hard day of birding to beat. Combine that with being the last car on a ferry that was already 5 minutes late and it definitely had the feel of one of those rare days when everything seems to be aligned. Take care.

Barry Levine
Seattle
levinb at bsd405.org

-----Original Message-----
From: MaryK [mailto:CelloBird at seanet.com]
Sent: Sat 8/7/2004 10:26 PM
To: Tweeters
Cc:
Subject: Common Eider Still There!



In the Westport Shipyard vicinity. Watched it for over an hour today, 'til
around 5 pm. Got good looks at its unbanded, bright orangey legs, and
faint, faint hint of green still on the back of its neck. For the most part
the bird was on a log snoozing w/its back to us, so no good looks at it from
the front. Fabulous view in profile, though, with its striking bill. At
one point a peep landed near it on the log, and there were male and female
Harlequin Ducks nearby, which gave excellent opportunities for size
comparisons. For those of you who are planning to try to see this bird,
don't worry, if it's there, you'll have no trouble finding it right
away--its size and coloration pretty much jump out at you.

Also enjoyed the nearby gulls, Mew and Heerman's, as well as a couple of
Red-necked Grebes, Pigeon Guillemots, Double-crested and Pelagic Cormorants,
a Kingfisher or two, seals...

Good birding,
Mary

Mary Klein
Bremerton WA
CelloBird at seanet.com