Subject: [Tweeters] Living with Godwits
Date: Sep 19 23:07:39 2005
From: Larry Schwitters - lpatters at ix.netcom.com



Tweeters,

It seems a 10 foot tide completely covers the rocks at the base of the
Westport Marina jetty, so the Marbled Godwits move to the more distant
rocky southern shore. A half mile walk and a bit of sneaky can get you
to within 100 feet of them. None of them took wing, but I think I was
creeping out some. The unusual Godwit was not among them. The plan
was to have a Mini DV close at hand so when he flew in the event could
be recorded. Never happened. The bird is gone.......or.......it
doesn't feel safe on the south rocky shore.

Perhaps give it a couple hours. Go look for a Rock Sandpiper.

Seventeen Turnstones and two Surfbirds later the haven at the base of
the jetty is covered with Godwits and the rocky southern shore is not.
Unusual Godwit is now among them. The plan is to focus the camcorder
on unusual Godwit, turn in on and hope he raises a wing.

After thirty minutes of filming sleeping Godwits it become apparent
that the camera will run out of battery long before film. So now the
battery must be conserved for the moment when they fly away to feed in
the bay. Never happened. As the water dropped they began feeding
right there. I don't believe that's how the Tokeland Godwits do it.
Is it possible this bunch never leaves the marina until migration?
Might be something worth checking on.

As some bully gull marched through the Godwits, I think we recorded
some underwing footage with two seconds of battery life to spare.

Said good night at 6:45.

These are neat birds.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah