Hello all birders,

The Temminck's Stint made another nice showing for nearly the entire day for up to 75+ birders today at the southwest pond at the Ocean Shores Sewage Treatment Plant at Ocean Shores(Washington State). Despite the very stormy weather at times with heavy rain,wind and hail the bird remained very cooperative for all observers,as it foraged along the rocky shoreline of the pond,which can be easily viewed from outside the fenceline. There were a few good weather breaks too,so it wasn't all bad and everyone enjoyed the bird for it's 3rd day! Birders came from across Washington today along with several birders from Oregon and British Columbia. The bird was first noted by several birders before the entrance gate was open before 8am,as they all stood outside the gate and looked into the pond from he south bordering fence. The bird at this time was viewed with a Least Sandpiper,where it became noticeably aggressive towards and often chased the lone Least Sandpiper around the pond,where great views and comparisons were made of both species. This behavior continued well after the gate was open,as many more birders began to arrive. The Temminck's Stint soon settled and began to feed by itself with the Least Sandpiper and several Dunlin,where the bird was observed by us until 2pm when we left for home. The bird was observed on one occasion flying off with the Least Sandpiper to an unknown location,but within 5 minutes returned from the east and continued it's active feeding behavior. The bird would occasionally fly after the initial Least Sandpiper chase during the morning and revealed it's striking pure white outer tail feathers for most everyone. The bird also called on at least one occasion,which was heard by a few birders.

On a side note a Ruff was observed by a few lucky birders at the Ocean Shores Jetty during mid day,where it was observed amongst a flock of "rockbirds" and could very well be the same individual bird we observed at the Ocean Shores STP on the 7th of November. A visit to relocate the ruff at around 2pm by several birders did not produce the Ruff,but yielded such highlights as 4 lingering Brown Pelicans,20+ "Black"Brant,4+ Rock Sandpipers and 12 Bonaparte's Gulls. A live "beached" Western Grebe was also located just north of the Ocean Shores Jetty,as well as the remains of a Northern Fulmar.


Good birding,

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