Hello Khanh and Fellow Tweets,

The report of the probable Bar-tailed Godwit at Tokeland is quite
intriguing, but I'm not sure that I would give a great deal of weight
to the smaller size and the general paleness of this bird for it's
identity. I recall seeing a Marbled Godwit very similar to the one you
described on Wednesday evening on a visit to Tokeland with Tom Aversa.

Two questions that come to my mind about this bird would be the following:
1) Did you note the color and pattern of the underwings when it was seen
in flight? If the overall size and structure were quite evident in
flight, then I'm quite certain you would have noted white-based
underwings for a Bar-tailed Godwit vs. cinnamon underwings seen in
Marbled Godwits.
2) Did you note anything different about the supercillium from nearby
birds when it was roosting? I think the supercillium would be noticeably
bolder and it would run behind the eye.

Anyway, that's my two cents worth. I know there would be other features
but knowing the possible age of the bird might also be helpful.

It is always a treat to go study the big shorebirds at Tokeland. I'm
still left wondering about the age and interesting plumage of a
Long-billed Curlew that I saw with other a few weeks back.

Cheers and good birding,

Brad Waggoner
Bainbridge Island
mailto:wagtail at sounddsl.com