Hello Tweeters,
I was again today going birding on to the Ocean.We was prepared on Wednesday
to hanging the Martin Boxes up in Tokeland.But the weather was to bad to use
a ladder in the high wind and rain.I left the boxes with the work crew from
the Port of Padilla Bay to hang them up today.
I start birding at 9.30 at the Schafer Boom Rd, the end of Brady loop
Rd.There was quite few Shorebirds in the wetlands,only 2 species of Ducks
Shovelers and Am.Wigeon.There where on the waters Edge 12 Long-billed
Dowitchers .In the higher grasses where 22 greater Yellowlegs and 12 Dunlins
and 2 Wilson Snipes.
But there also was a bright adult Western Kingbird on the fence post, start
flycatching for bogs.I managed few photos on the fence,but than he flew to
the other side in the field with Corn stubble where I lost the bird.On the
edge of the fields I had still 6 Golden crowned Sparrow.
Off to Bottle Beach,it was still early ,high tide supposed to be little
after 1.00 PM.It was slow for a while,but we did not had to wait that
long.We started off with lot's of Dunlin Semipalmated Plovers some Western
Short-billed Dowitchers and Black-bellied Plovers (I did not counted them
all today)This birds was all over the place,than came the wanted RED KNOTS
what every one waited for,this birds was so good today ,that all the birders
who had cameras got some great photos close.It was a great SHOW for
all.Forgot to mention ,we also had 3 Ruddy Turnstones in bright breeding
plumage
Off to Tokeland ,and since the tide was high already the big group was all
on the Jetty,not to good but I did counted 19 Ruddy Turnstone,since this
birds where active going from the right side to the left in between all the
other species what where Marbled Godwit's Whimbrel not to many 16 birds,
again Short billed Dowitchers having there had tucked in, sleeping.And in
the bay there where 6 Lesser Scaup
The NEW MARTIN HOUSES ARE UP NOW, but there are no Martin yet to see,we hope
there are coming back soon!!!!
On the way home,I stopped again on Schafer Boom Rd,All the birds where still
there,the only birds there where 2 Turkey Vulture ,an adult Coppers Hawk, 12
Canada Geese and lot's of bright color Savannah Sparrows.On Brady along the
River access where the hunters always hunting where the toilet's are.This
is always so productive for Passerines
Hutton's Vireo 2, Wilson Warblers 1,Common Yellowthroat 2, Purple male
Finch 1, White Crowned Sparrows 4,Black-throated Gray Warbler 2, and 5
Flickers.
On the bridge North side there where many Yellow-rumped Warblers and
Black-capped Chickadee's
The Nest of the Osprey seems disturbed ,one could not tell if there is a
bird sitting on the nest,but the male was sitting close by in the fields
watching.
It was a long day but a Great day,meeting a lot of birders at Bottle Beach
what a dear to me.

Cheers Ruth Sullivan