Hello Tweets,

Yesterday(July 13th)we birded Ocean Shores after a change in the weather. We noticed a difference in shorebird numbers in a few species,but Western Sandpipers remained on the general increase with over 13,500+ observed from 2 locations during high tide. The weather during the day remained nice with just a few scattered rain showers that quickly passed with overall calm conditions. Our main highlight of the day were 2 adult SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS observed and photographed at the Ocean Shores STP during incoming tide between 11:30am-12:15pm. The bird were mainly observed with a few Western Sandpipers,as they foraged and interacted with them at the southwest pond. Both adult Semipalamted Sandpipers were easily separated from the brighter Western Sandpipers by the overall lack of rufous tones on the back,scapulars,crown or anywhere on the body and during all observations appeared very pale with their distinctive short stubby bill. We found most interesting is when both species interacted between eachother and anytime a Western Sandpiper would try and come near either of the Semipalmated Sandpipers they would make a big fuss by either shuffling together on the ground or in mid air. It was quite the sight to see,which occurred frequently during our visit. The Semipalmated Sandpipers seemed the most agitated by the Western Sandpipers,but they actively foraged too within a limited area of the southwest pond. During the time we observed both Semipalmated Sandpipers there were only single Western Sandpipers noted at each of the 3 ponds,but when we returned to the location during incoming tide before 3pm the numbers had grown considerably. 2 of the main ponds were lined body on body of Western Sandpipers and during this time we were unable to relocate the 2 Semipalmated Sandpipers,but they could have been there undetected. There were simply too many Western Sandpipers,but we estimated 3,500+ birds in addition to an estimated 10,000+ birds noted from near the tip of Catala Spit at Damon Point!

We have placed many photos of the 2 Sempalmated Sandpipers on our website including the interaction they had with a few of the Western Sandpipers. Although both Semipalmated Sandpipers were not photographed together we did have 2 birds and both birds did vary slightly in plumages. These were our first adult Semipalmated Sandpipers that we have photographed at Ocean Shores,as well as our only July record to date! These photos can be accessed at the following link: http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent_shorebirds/



This was a major increase of Western Sandpipers from our last visit and thus was the most common species of the day at Ocean Shores. Most location held groups of Western Sandpipers,especially during incoming tide when birds flew in from all directions beginning at Bill's Spit and finally ending up at the Ocean Shores STP. During our visit to Bill's Spit we also tallied our first Short-billed Dowitchers of the season amongst an even number of Long-billed Dowitchers. Both species of dowitchers were encountered at several locations including Damon Point,Bill's Spit and the Ocean Shores STP,but all numbers were relatively low.


A list of additional species of note observed at Ocean Shores and other nearby areas included the following:


Red-throated Loon
1 off the Ocean Shores Jetty
1 at the Oyhut Wildlife Area

Sooty Shearwater
thousands and thousands off the Ocean Shores Jetty,as well as the nearby outer beaches north to Marine View Drive beach access

Northern Shoveler
9 birds at the Ocean Shores STP

Gadwall
1 female with one young at the Hoquiam STP

Ring-necked Duck
1 lingering male presumably oversummering at Cabana Pond(Ocean Shores)

Greater Scaup
9 birds at the Hoquiam STP

Surf Scoter
58 birds(with 25 White-winged Scoters)at the Oyhut WA

Turkey Vulture
6 birds along Hwy.12 at MP 15(Brady)
1 birds along Hwy.12 at MP 14 west of Brady
4 birds along S.R.109 over the Humptulips River at MP 10 near Burrows Rd.
1 bird along S.R.109 near the Hogan's Corner Airport(north of Ocean Shores)

Osprey
2 birds along Marine View Drive at Lake Minard
1 bird at the Oyhut WA

Northern Harrier
1 female bird at the Oyhut WA
1 immature male bird at Damon Point

Cooper's Hawk
1 bird along Pt.Brown Ave.(Ocean Shores)

Am.Kestrel
1 bird along Hwy.12 east of Montesano

Semipalmated Plover
25 birds at the Oyhut WA
2 birds at Bill's Spit

Greater Yellowlegs
1 bird at the Oyhut WA
2 birds at Damon Point

Whimbrel
1 at the Ocean Shores Jetty
2 at Damon Point
15 at Bill's Spit

Black Turnstone
1 at the Ocean Shores Jetty

Marbled Murrelet
4 off the Ocean Shores Jetty

"Streaked"Horned Lark
1 adult at the Oyhut WA
6 adults at Damon Point




Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com