On a recent trip to the area I was able to get a bit of birding in. I
visited a spot where I hadn't birded much and found a reasonable number of
shorebirds.

September 11 about halfway down the peninsula:

275 Black-bellied Plovers
215 Short-billed Dowitchers
125 Western Sandpipers
110 Least Sandpipers
23 Red Knots
7 Greater Yellowlegs
3 Wilson's Snipe
3 Killdeer
1 Willet
1 Long-billed Curlew


Leadbetter Point is showing signs of revival as the spartina war continues.


60 Black-bellied plovers
32 Marbled Godwits
12 Whimbrels
1 Red-necked Phalarope
1 golden plover
Many distant calidrids (mostly Sanderlings) but also Western Sandpipers.


The is still controversy and possible litigation regarding the eradication
of spartina by the use of an herbicide called "Habitat". Its use is
entirely necessary. Only three property owners on the bay are opposing its
use.

Jeff Gilligan

Portland and Willapa bay.