Subject: Clark's Grebe in Mason Co.
Date: Feb 29 17:25:48 2004
From: Ruth Sullivan - godwit at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweets,

Today my mother birded portions of the southern portion of Hood Canal and other associating areas in Mason Co.,beginning at the town of Allyn and continuing to the Skokomish River Delta along S.R.106. We continued south to the Shelton area,specifically checking the southern portion of the Shelton Airport(accessed off of Hwy.101). Our main highlights of the day including a single Clark's Grebe amongst a flock 48 Western Grebes at the Skokomish River Delta(observed along Hwy.101 just south of Potlatch State Park)followed by a Golden Eagle observed in flight soaring over the Shelton Airport,as well as an Am.Kestrel observed near the Mason Co.Fairgrounds,which borders the Shelton Airport. Good numbers of waterbirds were encountered from several location along our route with Red-throated Loons,being the most noteworthy loon species and encountered at almost every stop we made along with both species of goldeneyes and Red-necked Grebes that were in good numbers too.The weather remained dry and calm with a few sunbreaks at times and several areas along S.R.106 north of Twanoh S.P. were quite productive,despite limited access. After birding Mason Co. we continued our way to Brady Loop Rd. from the town of McCleary in hopes of relocating the Pink-footed Goose,but again this afternoon with NO luck along with other nearby areas that were checked. A list of our other noted highlights encountered during the day included the following:

Pacific Loon
7 along S.R.106 south of Belfair

Eared Grebe
8 along the Purdy Waterfront,Pierce Co.
14 at Allyn
2 at the Skokomish River Delta

Tundra Swan
17 along Hwy.12 near Satsop
22 along Brady Loop Rd.

Trumpeter Swan
8 along Hwy.12 near Satsop
15 along Brady Loop Rd.

"Black"Brant
28 along S.R.106 south of Belfair

Wood Duck
3 at the George Adams Fish Hatchery(accessed off of Purdy Cut-off Rd. south of S.R.106)

Eurasian Wigeon
1 male along S.R.108 west of Hwy.101 in Mason Co.)

Long-tailed Duck
2(1 pair)at the Purdy Waterfront

Sharp-shinned Hawk
1 along S.R.106 north of Twanoh S.P.

Rough-legged Hawk
1 along Brady Loop Rd.

Am.Kestrel
1 at the Shelton Airport
1 along Brady Loop Rd.
1 along Hwy.12 near Satsop
1 along Hwy.12 west of Elma

Peregrine Falcon
1 adult along Brady Loop Rd.

Dunlin
15 along Brady Loop Rd.(Foster Rd.)

Pileated Woodpecker
1 along S.R.106 north of Twanoh S.P.
1 at the George Adams Fish Hatchery
1 at the Skokomish River Delta

Western Scrub Jay
1 along Hwy.12 at Elma
1 along Brady Loop Rd.

Am.Dipper
1 singing adult at the George Adams Fish Hatchery


In addition we have placed photographs of the Golden Eagle taken recently along Brady Loop Rd. and 1 additional photograph of a Northern Saw-whet Owl taken at Hood Park onto our website,which can be accessed at http://www.pbase.com/godwit/root/ , then selecting the proper gallery.



Good birding,

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