Yesterday (11.06.04) 8 of us headed for Ocean Shores to see birds.

Our first stop was the Ocean Shores jetty. It was misting and we were
wiping down our lenses, but that was no problem, because we were focused on
at least 6 ROCK SANDPIPERS, mixed in with larger numbers of BLACK
TURNSTONES and SURFBIRDS. These birds were at the base of the jetty and
remained there until the last one of us was satiated. It was a rare
opportunity to see Rock Sandpiper in quantity for a length of time. Also
seen at the jetty was an assortment of gulls but little else.

Next we visited the STP where we saw BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER SCAUP and GUY
McWETHY. The most notable sighting at that location was Guy. He was very
generous and related to us his find of 3 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS on the
game range. Off we went. In about 20 minutes we spooked a lone
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER in the salicornia. If flew a few feet and froze in
full few, but a few feet away. Ya dream about this sort of thing. After a
few minutes it flew. We found the bird again across the stream and watched
it some more. Thank you Guy.

Also at the game range: LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, GREAT EGRET,
AMERICAN PIPIT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

By now it was lunch time. I wanted to gobble on the go, but a persuasive
birder convinced me that if we parked at Damon Point parking lot, we would
see the PALM WARBLERS that we sought, while we ate. How DID she know this?
There they were, 2 of them. They were at the edge of the small parking lot
where the bathroom is. As we sat and gobbled, the palms chipped and
bobbed.

The group wanted Lapland Longspur so we headed out the Damon Point Rd on
foot. We went as far as the pond but neither saw nor heard a longspur.
Not much of anything else, either. At the golf course we saw several
Mallard-sized CACKLING CANADA GEESE with 3 ALEUTIAN CANADA GEESE.

By this time limited daylight remained so we drove to Brady Loop to see
what else we could find. Just before dark, we came upon a ROUGH-LEGGED
HAWK.

Except for early morning mist, the weather was dry and mild. The birds
were cooperative. The company was great.

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA



--- Marv Breece
--- mbreece at earthlink.net