Subject: [Tweeters] Acorn Woodpecker continues near Oakville
Date: May 13 16:01:42 2007
From: Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan - godwit513 at msn.com


Hello Tweets,

The ACORN WOODPECKER previously reported near Oakville in eastern Grays Harbor Co. was again present this late morning at 11am. The bird allowed great views,as it flew out from the oak grove just northwest of the East Elma-Gate and Blockhouse Rd. intersection. The bird during this time it called several times,as well as flew around the immediate area making itself very visible in flight,as well as atop several telephone poles. The bird seemed to become very agitated by the imitation of a Northern Saw-whet Owl,but after about 45 minutes of watching the bird it finally flew back to the original grove of trees immediately west of Blockhouse Rd. It was very exciting to see the great bird again,as well as hear it call and hopefully more birders will get to see it! We were able to obtain several more photos today of the bird,which have been placed on our website. These photos can be viewed from the following link: http://www.pbase.com/godwit/acorn_woodpecker_photos/ . As yesterday the biggest downfall for the photos was the lighting since the bird almost always stayed high in trees or atop telephone poles. We were able to get at least one photo with a darker background,which is probably the most clearest photo too.


After enjoying the Acorn Woodpecker we ventured our way towards Elma via Hwy.12 and checked a few locations. A few highlights noted along this route included the following:

1 Hammond's Flycatcher observed along Elma-Gate Rd.(accessed off of Hwy.12 northwest of Oakville)

1 Red-necked Phalarope and 2 adult Spotted Sandpipers at a large pond on land owned by the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife(accessed southeast of Port along Hwy.12)


In addition we also made a quick check of a wetland area along Monte-Brady Rd.,where we located the 2 lingering Barnacle Geese resting near the edges of the wetland with 5 Greater White-fronted Geese observed nearby. A few shorebird species were also noted at this location including 3 Greater Yellowlegs, 5 Least Sandpipers and 5 Long-billed Dowitchers. 2 Cinnamon Teal and 7 Am.Wigeons were also noted from this wetland along with a few Western Scrub Jays calling nearby.


Good birding,

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