Today Steve Nord and I went to scout my new BBS route near Montesano and
ended up delaying that segment and birding Ocean Shores for the morning. At
the I-5 and HWY 101 interchange we saw two GREEN HERONS fly over towards
Capitol Lake for a nice summer record.

The jetty at Ocean Shores had a fairly heavy chop with very low visibility.
We did notice a few BROWN PELICANS which seemed early, but the Birders Guide
shows them as only unusual for early June. The sewage ponds had one late
NORTHERN SHOVELER drake. Pigeon Guillemots and Rhino Auklets were flying in
the calmer waters between the two jetties here. On the mudflats at the game
range there were 8 more BROWN PELICANS.

We saw a COOPER'S HAWK near Damon Point and had the best birding today at
Bill's Spit. On the extremely low tide we saw 8 WHIMBREL, 1 LONG-BILLED
CURLEW (seems late) and a distant flock of 68 MARBLED GODWITS (we later
drove up to the marina and were able to count and verify the identity of the
birds). Also at Bill's Spit were calling Orange-crowned Warblers and
Olive-sided Flycatcher.

Upon returning home I saw a message from Gary Wiles informing me of the
White Pelicans at Luhr Beach so I made a frantic trip out north of town.
After a short bike ride, then a longer car ride, then some
twitcher-tailgating of slower vehicles I finally saw some very distant A.
WHITE PELICANS on the north edge of the extensive exposed mud at Luhr. They
were hardly noticeable through binoculars and it wasn't until I had the
scope on the flock that I could see the large orange bill and pouch. Thanks
to all who got the word out quickly on these birds!! And I'm sorry if I
ruined anyone's day with my erratic driving out there! I'm a whole lot
nicer after I see the birds.

Jason Paulios
Jpaulios at earthlink.net
Olympia, WA