Tweeters,
Today I decided to spend some time checking out migration happenings in
south Thurston and east Grays Harbor Counties. Not as much happening as
some previous days but still some good birds around. Morning weather was a
disappointment with rain keeping many passerines down (or maybe they just
weren't there). I started at Scatter Creek, then headed to the turf farms
along Black River (W of Rochester), then west into Grays Harbor County,
making my way along the South Bank Road and to Brady Loop Road.

Best Bird has to go to the Semipalmated Sandpiper found at 0930 at Black
River Turf Farms (or whatever they call themselves now). It was in a
shallow pool in the middle of the field on the South Side of Highway 12
along Moon Road. This is about a mile or less east of the Grays Harbor
County Line. This was my first spring sighting and the first time I have
seen the bird in this plumage. It was an adult in alternate plumage and was
hanging out with 5 to 10 Least Sandpipers. It stood out quite remarkably,
looking very pale by comparison so it caught my attention from a distance.
Overall it was rather dull brownish above and very white below. Coverts had
large black centers with thin pale brown to tan edges, there ware no rufus
or buffy tones in the upperparts. The breast was only very lightly
streaked, most dense at the sides of the upper breast. This bill was
distinctly short and rather stout. Overall there were not many birds on the
turf farm, although there were 2 Greater White-Fronted Geese on the other
side of the Highway.

Not really much to speak of at other locations visited until I got to Brady
Loop Road. Still the same variety of usual shorebirds along with one Golden
Plover was present. Unfortunately the bird was flying and calling at a fair
distance and did not settle in with the many Black Bellies. Given the looks
and the distance involved I could not make the identification, guess I'll
have to work on my GP flight calls. Also along Brady Look were 3 teal (1st
Blue-wing of the year) on the east end, and a Sora on the west end. Nothing
unusual in the way of passerines today; first of the year birds for me
included a Cassin's Vireo at Scatter Creek and a Hammonds Flycatcher in
Grays Harbor Co.

Cheers
Bill Shelmerdine

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