Tweets,
Not all birding days are created equal. I've had a few trips when I've
wondered why I even bothered. Tuesday's outing to the coast was
unforgettable--despite the late start, despite not spotting any rarities
(missed the godwit in Westport) or tallying a long list. On the plus side,
the temperatures hit the 70s and winds were calm--except at Midway Beach
where I got the best view of longspurs in years. And it didn't hurt that I
filled four gaps in my year list. But what really pushed the day beyond
"above average" happened at Bottle Beach in the magical moments just before
and just after sundown. As I crossed the footbridge access a Short-eared Owl
wafted silently along the waterway toward me, its pale facial orbs and its
"landing lights" glowing orange in the waning sunlight, until our eyes met
and it veered into darkness. Wandering out onto the exposed flats, I felt
like the guy in the 1983 film, Never Cry Wolf. I ventured closer and closer
to my quarry until I found myself surrounded by, instead of caribou, an
assortment of surprisingly calm plovers and other shorebirds in their
hideout among the rotted-off pilings. So intent on the chase that I was all
the while oblivious to the spectacular sunset behind me. The scene when I
turned around I'll never forget--and oh for a camera! It was absolutely the
most breathtaking sunset I've ever seen in the Northwest. Silhouetted
against the blazing orange sky was my (borrowed) tripod-and-scope and the
old, crusty pilings, with the moist, black sand glistening in the sunset. I
just stood there in awe, soaking up the overwelming beauty of God's
creation. If that wasn't enough aesthetic stimulation for one day, the
three-quarter moon rose bright and beautiful orange--just as I passed Moon
Road about 15 minutes from home. Definitely a fitting finale to a "10" of a
day!
Other highlights:
-- Snowy Plover (9) - Midway Beach, north of the access road in the heaviest
debris at the high tide line
-- Lapland Longspur (6) - Midway Beach, north of the access road 2-300 yards
in the grasses along the upper dunes
-- Short-eared Owl (1) - Bottle Beach access
-- Pacific Golden Plover (1-2) - Bottle Beach
-- Short-billed Dowitcher (1, not 100% certain in the dark) - Bottle Beach
-- Great Egret (2+) - Bay City/Elk River crossing
-- Long-billed Curlew (~10+) - spit behind Westport Coast Guard
station/airport
-- lots of vocal C Loon, eg 30+ at Tokeland
Good birding!
--Paul Hicks
Tenino, s. Thurston Co
phicks AT accessgrace.org