Just to add to the Patrick's report yesterday. The Sullivans are to be commended for diligence in keeping watch for several hours and locating the Black-tailed Gull when others were unable to find it. Having seen it earlier was an advantage for this bird as it was easy to miss in the flock despite several descriptions posted on Tweeters. The Sullivans have consistently returned to re-locate rare species after their initial sighting and shared the information quickly while many of us drive up hoping they will be there to find it for us or at least share information. Don't take this as a condemnation of our actions or skills, just as appreciation for the Sullivans of the world that find, share, document, and make it easier for birders of all types to see a rare bird. Ditto the LaFramboises with the stint at Richland.

Just a few additions to what Patrick reported yesterday. Around 08:30 at the Ocean Shores north jetty were Wandering Tatler, Black Turnstone, and Surfbird (several still in alternate plumage.) Sooty Shearwaters were seen in large numbers just beyond the end of the jetty. (They were easily visible from Midway Beach at 3:30 also.) There was a juvenile Mew Gull just north of the jetty among hundreds of Heermann's Gulls. A Glaucous-winged Gull similar to the type described as similar to a Glaucous Gull was north of the Damon Point parking area with flight and tail feathers so worn I wonder if it could fly. I can e-mail a photo if someone wants a look. South of the parking lot were all three scoters. Around 2:30 the godwit flock at Tokeland was very nervous. Views at the Marina were brief but I located the Bar-tailed Godwit on the island among 300 Marbled Godwits and 3 Whimbrels before the flock headed out of view to the SW. I was unable to pick the BTGO out of the flock during several flights around the marina but it wasn't among the Whimbrels that stayed put either. The mostly rufous front indicated male. A Willet and several Black Turnstones were just south along the road leading to the southern dock.

Randy Hill
Othello
hill at smwireless.net
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