Subject: [Tweeters] re: shorebirds sightings at Grays Harbor NWR
Date: Apr 28 23:46:11 2005
From: Dianna Moore - dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com
Hi Tweets...while I can't offer anyone an Ivory-billed Woodpecker, I can say
the spring migration of shorebirds is definitely picking up at the
refuge..and all around the harbor.
At the refuge website http://graysharbor.fws.gov
we have a link to Shorebird Sightings. Click on that and you will find the
most current numbers and species accounts. The next posting should be Friday
the 29th.
Meanwhile, my ride on the beaches Wednesday (Ocean Shores north to Conner
Creek) and Thursday (Grayland and Midway) revealed large numbers of peeps
loosely spread out over literally miles of shoreline at low tide. I
participated in raptor surveys, but couldn't help but notice the sheer
numbers of birds...even after the Quinaults began their clamming. From my
view half-way up the width of the exposed sand, the birds were unfazed by
the humans among them.
Thursday afternoon I watched approximately 50 common loons out on North Bay
between Bill's Spit and Damon Point. Most were males in breeding
plumage...very striking black and white checkered pattern on their backs and
very dark heads.
Two notes about the Shorebird Festival: we have sold out the banquet
featuring our guest speaker Dennis Paulson but still have openings for most
of the events, so come on down and check us out for a great weekend of
birding!
If you're looking for the unusual collectible, we have the perfect thing. La
Vogue's Department Store in Hoquiam commissioned famed editorial cartoonist
Bob McCausland to do two drawings for their contribution to the
Hoquiam-based Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival. The two drawings are on
t-shirts advertising the festival, for sale in their store and at the
festival headquarters. They are a big hit with those who have seen them so
far, and all of us on the festival committee immediately tried to lay claim
to the two samples brought in for our viewing!
I hope to see you there!
Dianna Moore/Registrar
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com