Hello Tweeters,
Vicki and Mark Biltz and I birdied together yesterday.We started at 10.00AM
accordingly to the high tide at 1,15 PM at a tide so high as 9.1.Before we
walked out to the beach we had a group of 28 all WHITE-FRONTED GEESE
circling ford and back,we figured there would be landing on the grassy
fields where we standing,but there flew further out.We had quite few
Shorebirds,but nothing so outstanding.After 30 minutes all the birds flying
in to the air and we saw a dark Juvenile Merlin chasing the big group of
Dunlin's Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings few Least Sandpipers and many
Duck Species.Also we had 2 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS, hoping that the Merlin
would not catch one of this birds.The chase went on for about few minutes
and the Merlin picked on one bird what got separated trying to put this bird
in to the water,this time the Merlin could not catch anything,but he
returned a second time and again it was a intense chase for at least 4
minutes.This time he did not hit on any birds what we could see.All the
birds was so disturbed flying fort and back and did not settled down, a big
group flew way out where you not follow with you eye.The Merlin again to
getting no prey.We was still watching all the Shorebirds flying so nervously
around when for the third time the Merlin appeared again ,he had still a lot
of high speed left,it looked as he is maneuver more flamboyantly,and than it
happen pursuing one separated tired bird what could not escape the high
speed pursuit of this desperate Merlin.He took the bird far away from the
beach in direction Acoasta Road.Also to mention there where around 5000 and
Dunlin,20 Sanderlings with 25 Black-bellied Plovers.The Migration coming to
an end wit all the many Dunlin's.As we going out from the beach we also saw
a flock of 75 PIN SISKIN.
Next we hit Tokeland where we also had lunch.This alone seeing the 850
Marbled Godwit's is a treat all by itself.I am not write something up
here,only to report the birds we found.WILLET 12,KILLDEER 2,COMMON LOON 15,
Red -throated LOON 1,PACIFIC LOON 1,WESTERN GREBES 15,HEERMANN'S GULLS 7,
PELAGIC CORMORANT 1
DC CORMORANT ,many,FEMALE HARLEQUIN DUCK 1,
Driving out of Tokeland :3 Big flocks of PIN SISKIN (ALL 150 BIRDS) and 2
NORTHERN HARRIER.
We stopped at the big Wetlands across the big Casino ,GREEN -winged TEALS
8,WIGEON,30,Female(only)HOODED MERGANSER 12, GREATER YELLOWLEGS1.
Midway Beach,SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER 8,( the only Dowitcher on this
trip)SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER1, DUNLIN30,LEAST SANDPIPERS 15,
We went back to Bottle Beach to check out the new trail along the beach,The
wooden Platform have two benches now on the look out to the beach,The other
wooden platform is not complete,but it looked as there steady working on all
the projects.The toilet on the parking lot is usable now. Birds sighted only
after a MERLIN flew so low over our head,it choke us all up,he flew to the
beach,but we checked this out and could not see him chasing any
Shorebirds.Acosta had only one bird a Female Ring-necked Duck.

It was a good and long day of birding ,with the help of two very nice
friends.
Cheers Ruth Sullivan












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