Subject: Midway Beach, Tokeland birding
Date: Jan 19 21:54:33 2004
From: Tim O'Brien - kertim7179 at centurytel.net


I made a quick trip down to Midway Beach and Tokeland in Pacific County
today. My primary target bird was the Gyrfalcon at Midway Beach. I stopped
at Ocosta Third Street on the way there. There were two Greater Yellowlegs
present here. Also, a Great Blue Heron was walking all over the street
while I scanned the ponds. I tried to get a good picture of the heron, but
it wasn't very cooperative. Red-winged Blackbirds were singing on top of
the cattails here too. I also caught a few glimpses of a Marsh Wren in the
grass next to the road.

At Midway Beach, I walked both north and south of the beach access road. I
had one adult Bald Eagle perched on a driftwood snag. I spotted what could
have been the Gyr farther down the beach to the south on another piece of
driftwood, but unfortunately I didn't get any real good looks to confirm the
ID. There were a good amount of Sanderlings playing in the surf. Also, I
watched a Merlin and a Peregrine Falcon go after a large flock of Dunlin
that was resting on the beach. Two other birders were here also.

At Tokeland, the Marbled Godwits were on the dock at the marina. Mixed in
the godwit flock were a few Willet, Whimbrel, and Long-billed Dowitchers.
Also, in and around the marina were several Common Loon, Horned Grebe, at
least one Common Goldeneye, and a couple Bufflehead.

Good birding,

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
kertim7179 at centurytel.net