Hello Tweets and OBOLers,

Today we endured a very windy,stormy day at Ocean Shores(Washington State)with constant rain that came down sideways with heavy winds! At times it nearly seemed that Ocean Shores was deserted of people and figured that most of the residents were inside and tourists gone from the area,which didn't mind us at all! We wondered if we had experienced all the heavy wind and stormy conditions that were predicted along the Oregon coast.Despite having 2-3 layers of clothes,raingear and boots we still got soaking wet to our skin,but we managed the best we could! To date this was one of our wettest day at Ocean Shores,as far as being in the field and it just seemed the wind never died down,which made conditions that much worse. We had a hard time keeping our binoculars dry and at times our spotting scope was useless due to the combination of the wind and the rain. Anyhow,away form all the bad weather we did manage to locate a few good birds at Ocean Shores with our main efforts made at the Oyhut Wildlife Area and a walk made to the Damon Point"pond". Due to the wind many areas were more flooded than usual even after high tide with the most flooded area being the Oyhut Wildlife Area(accessed behind the Ocean Shores STP). This location also produced the most densest numbers of shorebirds,as large flocks frantically looked for any available land to rest and feed. We arrived at the Ocean Shores STP at 11:30am and made our wet walk out into vast flooded areas,as we immediately observed vast numbers of shorebirds flying about low overhead,as we continued north from the fluorescent orange navigation tower.

The wind blew hard and with 20 minutes we were thoroughly soaked with rain,but we continued on to search through the shorebird flocks the best we could. As we approached the upper beach and walked closer to the edge of the flooded areas we observed 3 separate Peregrine Falcons that added to the nervousness of the shorebirds,as they flew around the immediate area. Wave after wave of Dunlin flew around and with closer inspection produced looks at Black-bellied Plovers and Western and Least Sandpiper. While scanning through the shorebird flocks we obtained great,close views of 2 Lapland Longspurs that settled close along the ground waiting the storm out. We continued to stand near the edge of the flooded areas and just let the birds come to us primarily watching them fly and land by us in our binoculars. A few of the largest flocks of Dunlin finally settled,as at least 1 Peregrine Falcon remained in the immediate area. Soon a different flock of Dunlin flew in and replaced the existing flock and within that flock of Dunlin was a beautiful,bright juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpiper! The bird quickly and deliberately foraged on the open sandy shoreline and within 10 seconds flew off to an unknown location along with the flock of Dunlin it joined. The dense flocks of shorebirds remained very nervous and agitated during our entire visit and we knew it had something to with the high water conditions,weather and the presence of the 3 Peregrine Falcons. It was nice to see the Dunlin back in such good numbers!

Despite getting so wet we enjoyed seeing all the shorebirds that flew around us,as they moved around the western portion of the Oyhut WA. As we scanned towards the Tonquin Ave. access by looking to the north we could see some flooded areas,but not nearly as flooded as the areas we stood and could also see no signs of any shorebird activity there. All the shorebirds were for the most part congregated within a limited area and we felt we thorough searched through the flocks during 2 visits made at this location. Shorebird numbers observed at the Oyhut WA and a few other highlights include the following:

5 Lesser Scaup(Ocean Shores STP)
3 Northern Harriers
32 Black-bellied Plovers
3 Greater Yellowlegs
1 Ruddy Turnstone
16 Black Turnstones
35 Sanderlings
70 Western Sandpipers
335+ Least Sandpipers
8,000+ Dunlin
1 Short-billed Dowitcher
12 Long-billed Dowitchers(including 4 birds at the Ocean Shores STP)
1 Wilson's Snipe
3 Herring Gulls(Ocean Shores STP)

Next, at Damon Point we again endured wet,windy conditions,but made a walk out to the Damon Point"pond" and searched through a flock of Dunlin and Least Sandpipers that settled along the southern portion of the pond. Our next highlight of the day occurred at this location with 3 juvenile Pacific Golden Plovers that loosely foraged with 4 Black-bellied Plovers. The Pacific Golden Plovers were somewhat unexpected to see today,but it was nice seeing them in flight,as well as hearing them call with the Black-bellied Plovers.

Other highlights encountered at Ocean Shores included the following:

1 Eared Grebe,1 Ruddy Duck,1 Am.Coot and 2 Greater Yellowlegs at the Cabana Pond
7 Western Grebes at Damon Point
45+ Brown Pelicans off the Ocean Shores Jetty
1 Merlin at the Ocean Shores Jetty
3 Greater Yellowlegs at the Damon Point"pond"
2 Savannah Sparrows at Damon Point



On our way home we made a short stop at the Hoquiam STP,where highlights included a single female Long-tailed Duck,5 Canvasbacks,24 Surf Scoters,and 2 Ruddy Ducks all observed amongst a large flock of Greater Scaup. Within this flock were also smaller numbers of Lesser Scaup and up to 15 Ring-necked Ducks. A single Bonaparte's Gull was also present foraging with a lone Mew Gull. At the nearby grassy areas bordering the Bowerman Basin Airport were 3 "Dusky"Canada Geese and 3 Cackling Geese amongst a large flock of mixed Canada Geese flock. A single Western Scrub Jay was observed just east of Emerson School at Hoquiam.

Our last stop of the day was made along the Brady Loop Rd. complex at 5pm with continued wet conditions,but a few species added to our day list. Here, our main highlights consisted of a single lingering Common Yellowthroat,2 Am.Kestrels, 3 Northern Harriers and up to 5 Western Scrub Jays.



Good birding,

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