Tweeters,



Yesterday I had the pleasure of seeing the recently-noted flock of 25
Surfbirds fly by, twice, but this morning a perhaps more unusual species for
this location showed up. A flock of what I think were eight Black-bellied
Plovers rested for a while on the gravel beach just north of the Lighthouse.
I scoped them as they stood and when they flew off to the north. Here are
my notes (I used a recorder as I watched):



pretty good size, seem bigger than Sanderlings

overall stout, roundish birds

beaks stout, black, medium-short

legs grayish

front is light tan

back is gray-tan; feathers on back not particularly well defined

head is medium tan i.e., in between breast and back

light/cream around base of beak

slight streaking on sides of breast

wings (folded) darken toward the back

folded primary tips (or tail?) appears charcoal

flying away: white rump, light gray tail band, wings mostly gray



not white on the stomach or breast

no shoulder mark



Gary T. Smith

Alki Point