Tweeters:

I was excited by other's recent reports (especially those of Dennis P. and
Ryan Merrill, combined with the latest Victoria hotline report,
250-592-3381) and took the family over to Sequim for the weekend. I missed
virtually all of the stuff others found, but pleasantly turned up pelicans
galore and several more of my own goodies. Here are the highlights:

Canada Goose 1500 (includes birds seen from Schmuck Rd west to the DRA)
GR. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE 1 (slightly early at Three Crabs 8/25)
BROWN PELICAN 8 (6 at the Oyster House 8/25, two more off the Graysmarsh
public beach
access 8/25-8/26 (just 2nd record)--remarkable numbers but last year had a
good flight also)
Greater Scaup 1 (far off the Three Crabs 8/25, bird that surely oversummered
locally)
Ruddy Duck 5 (Kitchen Dick Ponds, rare and local in Clallam Co, 2 ad, 3
young)
PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER--1 juv. Oyster House 8/26 w/BB Plover
LB CURLEW 1--the single at the Oyster Hs continues, has apparently been
there since early May
MARBLED GODWIT 1--Graysmarsh beach 8/26--only the third for Grays, despite
frequency nearby
Red-necked Phalarope--6 off Grays 8/25, 1 off D. Spit 8/26, more off
Kingston ferry
PURPLE MARTIN--really evident this trip: I had 9 at Three Crabs 8/26, 1
over Graysmarsh 8/25 (only third record there), 3 more were at the Kingston
ferry landing 8/26 eve

LESSER GOLDFINCH--entrance to s. Graysmarsh (private), 9 a.m. 8/26. Near
edge of flock of 25 or so Am. Goldfinch, which flew off and left the bird
alone for about a minute. Light yellow undertail coverts, short tail &
smaller size overall, jet black stubby bill, green back/scapulars and
uppertail coverts, distinct white "dash" at base of primaries running
counter to two wingbars above--all well seen (among others) while bird was
perched on telephone wire, about 30' away. CLALLAM first if I'm not
mistaken, but I missed the photo op--went to grab camera and when I returned
bird had flown off.

Other notes: the Graysmarsh public access is limited to but a single
parking spot at the n. end of Willcox Lane, signs say "no parking on the
pavement" so there is just the bare ground in front of the poles. Had a
probable Gray Whale off the Graysmarsh beach 8/25; elongate animal broke
surface briefly. Another reported by a clammer off Tongue Pt (Salt Creek)
8/25 just 100 yds offshore. Found two notable plants along edge of Holland
Rd on Graysmarsh property: Actaea rubra (W. Baneberry), fruiting and only
the 2nd found on property; and a new Lathyrus (Wild Pea, to be determined,
either L. polyphyllus or vestitus).

E. Washington notes: had a few migrants (RB Nuthatch, W. Tanager, 3
Warbling Vireos, phoebe, sp.) in the Russian Willows at Coulee City Park on
the s. shore of Banks Lake 8/24, and 3 Black Terns and 50+ Com. Terns were
over the lake itself through the week. E. Kingbirds were still common
throughout the area. Finally, 15 Com. Nighthawks were swooping low over Hwy
2 near Coles Corner (the turnoff for Fish Lake) near Leavenworth 8/20, at
mid-morning, a nice surprise.

This is the time of year to get out!!

Scott Atkinson
Lake Stevens
mail to: scottratkinson at hotmail.com

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