Hello Tweets,

Today was a great day at Ocean Shores to say the least,as our main goal was attempting to relocate the Ruff and Gyrfalcon we previously reported on the 7th of October. Despite some good searching of all the good areas for both species we were unable to relocate them! During a second afternoon visit of the Ocean Shores STP we rechecked the southwest pond after 3pm just before heading home. We decided to make a quick walk around the perimeter of this pond since it was the most productive and at 3:15pm we noticed a single "peep" foraging alone along the rocky edges of the pond. It was a Temminck's Stint and so many distinguishing field marks eliminated Least Sandpiper,including the overall plain gray-brown plumage with a "scalloped" appearance on the mantle contrasting to entire white underparts and a pale buffy wash on the upperparts of the breast. The profile and structure of the bird appeared strongly long-winged,but somewhat stocky/plump and short-legged.The face was quite pale,but revealed he distinctive eye ring with a small white area extending from the eye to the base of the bill. The bill was somewhat long,refined and showed a slight droop to it. The legs were a uniform yellow,but the most striking features of the bird were when it flew making short distances to other edges within the same pond. As we continued watching the bird and obtaining photographs we noticed how nervous and active the bird was and even with all the ducks and 2 Long-billed Dowitchers that eventually all few off this bird remained. In flight we noted he striking white outer tail feathers,as well as a striking white wing stripe on either upper wing. During flight the bird gave a distinctive short,dry cricket-like trill that was perfectly described in Dennis Paulson's "Shorebirds of North America,a Photographic Guide" on page 239. It gave this call only in flight and was definitely ear-catching and different than any shorebird call we have ever heard. As we continued watching the bird the lighting dimmed considerably under cloudy skies and as a result our photos turned out not of the best quality,but we just enjoyed watching the bird. The bird was quite difficult at times to keep tack of since it often blended in with the rocky edges and you cold have easily lost it until we relocated it running along the rocky shoreline. Just before we left at 4:15pm we presented views of the bird to one of the nice sewage plant workers,who enjoyed that as we briefly explained the status of the bird.It is a day we will never forget and definitely one that was unexpected and to end it with a grand rarity since the main portion of our day was slow!!!! We have placed 6 photos of the Temminck's Stint on our website,which can be viewed at the following link: http://www.pbase.com/godwit/november05/photos/

The Ocean Shores STP is open from 8am-around 4:30pm during the weekdays and the complex is closed during the weekends,but it is possible to obtained partial views of the southwest pond from the outside perimeter fenceline. There is a very small and limited parking area at the main office,but we would recommend to birders parking outside the fenced area and walking in through the entrance gated fence. The southwest pond is the furthest south pond within the complex of 3 main ponds and is the most active pond with ample shoreline. The other two ponds are currently far less productive and host more vegetation around the edges,but have recently been trimmed by the workers.

We birded a few of the key areas at Ocean Shores today,as the weather remained cloudy with some drizzle at times with rain expected tomorrow. As mentioned conditions were primarily slow,but we did encountered a few additional highlights before seeing the Temminck's Stint. Our day began in the Elma-Brady area then onto the Hoquiam STP,which all yielded additional species to our day's list. Our other man noteworthy species for the day at selected locations included the following:

4 Trumpeter Swans at the Bill Goeres Farm along the western portion of Wenzel Slough Rd. near Satsop

1 Rough-legged Hawk,1 Peregrine Falcon,6 Am.Kestrels,15 Black-bellied Plovers,30 Dunlin,2 Least Sandpipers,4 Bonaparte's Gulls and 8 Western Meadowlarks along the Brady Loop Rd. complex.

15 Canvasbacks,3 Ruddy Ducks,(amongst other waterfowl species)and 1 Bonaparte's Gull at the Hoquiam STP

1 Cooper's Hawk near Ocean Shores along S.R.109 at MP15

2 Clarks' Grebes(with 32 Western Grebes at Damon Point(photographed in North Bay)

18 Black Scoters,1 Marbled Murrelet,64 Surfbirds,14 Black Turnstones,1 Ruddy Turnstone, and 7 Rock Sandpipers at the Ocean Shores(Point Brown)Jetty

1 Eared Grebe at the Cabana Pond(Ocean Shores)

1 Black Scoter,18 Red-throated Loons, 4 Northern Harriers,3 Black-bellied Plovers,1 Greater Yellowlegs,30 Least Sandpipers,75 Dunlin,7 Long-billed Dowitchers,2 Savannah Sparrows and 1 Western Meadowlarks at the Oyhut Wildlife Area(accessed behind the Ocean Shores STP).



Good birding,

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