Subject: [Tweeters] first juncos
Date: Oct 12 09:55:22 2007
From: Dianna Moore - dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com


Hi Tweets...I'll add my two cents on the first seasonal sighting. Monday,
October 8th, I got home from a walk on the beach to find 8 juncos had
arrived.

My walk on the beach just west of the Damon Point parking lot yielded 2
American Golden Plovers that flew to within 30 feet of me and just stood
there while I carefully compared them to the photos in Dennis Paulson's
(wonderful) shorebird guide. I have been seeing Pacific Golden Plovers out
on the outer beaches, but these were my first American's in several years.

Shortly after I resumed my walk, a single Sanderling flew down the spine of
sand between the high tide and Marine View Dr...hotly pursued by a very
aerobatic merlin. Unfortunately they flew across the road over the water
tank and out over Lake Minard...out of sight, so I was unable to verify the
outcome.

Finally, just a few minutes later, an immature Bald Eagle came from the
North Bay side of Damon Point straight at me then up and over me no more
than 30 feet overhead on its way to the game range area. We actually made
eye contact, though I am sure this bird was not as impressed as I was!

I just celebrated my 9th year as a resident of Ocean Shores and the Pacific
Northwest, and I can tell you I don't miss California much at all....except
the redwoods and my garden. I can only hope half the population of
California does not move to Ocean Shores in the next 9 years!

Dianna Moore
Ocean Shores, Wa.
dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com