Subject: [Tweeters] Sandhill Cranes at Neah Bay
Date: Apr 10 20:52:52 2005
From: Ball - nigelball at bainbridge.net


Hi,

As I was munching my halibut dinner at the cafe at the east end of Neah Bay
on Saturday (April 9th 2005), I was surprised to see flocks of SANDHILL
CRANES, about 650 birds in all, heading north over the water towards
Vancouver Island. Specifically, individual flocks of about 75,50, 200, and
50 between 1805 and 1820; 130 at 1850; and 150 at 1905. The first flock
showed some 'hesitation' above the water's edge; the others did not. I would
appreciate hearing from anyone who knows whether this is a typical migration
spot for Sandhill Cranes.

Otherwise birding was slow (apart from Orange-crowned Warblers and Rufous
Hummingbirds). There were 2 American Kestrels, 2 Thayer's Gulls (1x'1W',
1x2W), 1 ad Herring Gull, 4 California Gulls, 1 Ring-billed Gull, <100
GW/Western Gulls, 17 American Pipits, 13 Greater Yellowlegs, c30 Marbled
Murrelets.

Cheers,

Nigel Ball
Bainbridge Island, WA