Subject: [Tweeters] Ocean Shores Sept 7, 2008
Date: Sep 8 11:18:41 2008
From: Marv Breece - mbreece at earthlink.net


Yesterday I birded at Ocean Shores with Janeanne Houston. Along the way we stopped at Hoquiam STP and observed 5 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES on the pond as well as about 20 BROWN PELICANS. There was an assortment of ducks, a few KILLDEER and a single WILSON'S WARBLER called from the trees along the road.

Moving on to Ocean Shores, we drove directly to Damon Point in hopes of seeing golden-plovers. None of those. And but one BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Lots more pelicans.

At the game range behind the STP, we were greeted by a large flock of LAPLAND LONGSPURS. Fifty or more of these birds swarmed us. We enjoyed fine extended viewing of the birds and listening to their vocalizations. Definitely our highlight of the day.

I should mention that at Ocean Shores we also saw:
Marbled Godwit - 3 at Damon Point
Sanderling - 3 juv Damon Point
Least and Western Sandpipers in small numbers
Semipalmated Plover - a few here and there, all juveniles
Greater & Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 each at the game range

Since shorebirds were scarce yesterday at Ocean Shores, we decided to make a quick visit to Midway Beach. As daylight waned, we observed 9 RED-NECKED PHALAROPES, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS and a few LEAST and WESTERN SANDPIPERS.

Images of yesterday's longspurs may be found at:

http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/102861202
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/102861206
http://www.pbase.com/marvbreece/image/102861208

It was a good day.

Marv Breece
Seattle, WA
mbreece at earthlink.net