Hello Tweets,

My mother and I enjoyed a rewarding 2 days(September 4th and 5th)along the coast between the Johns River WRA to Tokeland. We ran into numerous birders,including 4 birders from the Okanogan,BC area(led by Chris Charlesworth),who joined us for the better portion of yesterday checking several locations. We encountered several highlights including the main species to mention below:

The lingering Black-tailed Gull observed on the 4th between 5:40pm-6pm at North Cove foraging amongst a fairly large flock of Heermann's and California Gulls. The bird was searched for several times on both days,although conditions yesterday were fairly bad due to increased crowds of people. Perhaps as birders do check for this bird at North Cove they will post their results,as we mentioned in past postings.

1 immature Red-shouldered Hawk observed briefly,but well at the Johns River WRA on the 5th at 12pm by two observers(myself Patrick and Ryan Tomlinson of BC)during a return walk back from observing the Ruff. The bird was initially observed circling several times over the northern edge of the Johns River opposite of where we were standing,so lighting conditions were excellent with several key field marks noted. These field marks began with the obvious white flashes or "crescents" on the upperwing,which were not as crisp as I(Patrick)have noted in other individuals of this species I have seen,but nonetheless very visible,as the bird circled. Secondly, the banded tail that only I observed was noted,which was far less broader than a Red-tailed Hawk along with the obvious faster wingbeats noted by us both until the bird dove into a large alder grove patch bordering the north side of the Johns River(just east of the parking area). The bird showed some partial rufous areas on the shoulders on the upperwing,which was limited and the wings overall were quite broad,as well as the bird showing a quite stocky and compact body structure. The quick looks at the underparts appeared fairly strongly evenly streaked. We quickly searched for the bird upon driving around to S.R.105 and walking out to the grove of trees,but were unable to relocate the bird,but ample habitat lies in the immediate area,so perhaps others will see this bird.

1 juvenile Ruff observed,then later photographed at the Johns River WRA at 2:45pm-3pm and after 5pm on the 4th(accessed off of S.R.105 at Markham),as well as observed by numerous birders thereafter,primarily today. The bird was most easily observed along the wetland area closest to the grassy trail just past the green photo blind,as it foraged loosely amongst Lesser Yellowlegs. The bird flew around the wetland area both days in the general vicinity showing the distinctive U-shaped rump and obvious white underwings,which was a nice field mark for many to see. A crisp juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was also noted at this same location on our initial visit on the 4th amongst a flock of 6 Pectoral Sandpipers,as well as a single juvenile Stilt Sandpiper that foraged fairly close amongst a group of 6 Long-billed Dowitchers and both species of yellowlegs. This was truly a spectacular occasion,as all 3 main species we had anticipated being noted at this location this fall and should be checked by more birders on their destination to Tokeland,North Cove,etc.

The juvenile Hudsonian Godwit previously reported by Houston Flores at the Tokeland Marina,which delighted us and many other birders both days,primarily only during the evening between 5-7pm. This bird was associated very closely amongst the large flock of Marbled Godwits both days,but we personally observed the bird best on the 4th,as it foraged loosely amongst the flock along the shoreline south of paved road at the marina with photographs obtained. The bird was also observed in flight,as it showed the obvious black and white tail,as well as very dark underwings linings. The rather broad partial white supercillium was most readily observed,especially when the bird was hunkered amongst the Marbled Godwits,which extended only from the base of the bill to the eyes and not beyond.

1 dark-morph Pomarine Jaeger observed at fairly close range at 10am on the 4th near the southern tip of Graveyard Spit at Tokeland. The bird was very dark and showed very plump and stocky body structure,being much more stocky than a Parasitic Jaeger along with a much more slower flight pattern. The fairly large white wing"flashes" were well noted,being most apparent on the underwing near the tip of the primaries(followed by a less apparent white area at the base of the primaries). The bird eventually continued north towards the ocean side of Graveyard Spit after flying along the shoreline from the direction of Tokeland Marina via Willapa Bay.

These by far were our main highlights of the 2 days and figure other birders that we encountered will post their sightings from the weekend too! It was good to see many birders still searching for the Black-tailed Gull,as well as birders that we helped locate the Ruff at the Johns River WRA. A few other species we encountered included the following:

Western Grebe
5 off North Cove on the 5th

Great Egret
10 at Bay City along the Elk River(along S.R.105)
1 at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Cinnamon Teal
5 observed at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Turkey Vulture
8 at Tokeland on the 4th
6 at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Osprey
1 at North Cove on the 4th

Northern Harrier
2 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th

Peregrine Falcon
1 at North Cove on the 4th
1 along S.R.105 east of Bay City on the 5th

Black-bellied Plover
28 at Bottle Beach on the 4th(with 194 there on the 5th,with 3 in still crisp breeding plumage)

Semipalmated Plover
15 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th
3 at Bottle Beach on the 5th

Greater Yellowlegs
maximum of 21 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th

Lesser Yellowlegs
maximum of 35 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th

Spotted Sandpiper
1 at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Whimbrel
5 at Tokeland on the 5th

Long-billed Curlew
58 at Tokeland on the 4th

Marbled Godwit
maximum of 458 at Tokeland on the 4th

Black Turnstone
8 at Tokeland on the 4th(with 3 there on the 5th)
1 at Bottle Beach on the 5th

Short-billed Dowitcher
7 at Bottle Beach on the 5th(with 3 Long-billed Dowitchers)

Long-billed Dowitcher
1 at Tokeland on the 4th
17 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th

Wilson's Snipe
1 at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Red-necked Phalarope
8 off North Cove on the 5th

Parasitic Jaeger
1 off North Cove on the 4th

Mew Gull
1 at North Cove on the 4th
8 at Tokeland on the 5th

Vaux's Swft
15+ at the Johns River WRA on the 5th

Hairy Woodpecker
1 at North Cove on the 5th

Northern Rough-winged Swallow
3 at the Johns River WRA on the 4th

Ruby-crowned Kinglet
3 at North Cove on the 5th

Hutton's Vireo
3 at North Cove on the 5th

Yellow Warbler
2 at Midway Beach Rd on the 4th
3 at Tokeland on the 4th
1 at North Cove on the 5th

Western Tanager
1 at Midway Beach Rd. on the 5th

"Sooty"Fox Sparrow
1 at Tokeland on the 5th



Good birding,

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