Hello Tweeters,
Yesterday was so special,I birdied with Ulrich and Stella Fritzsche,who I
previously met in the field and in Nisqally.This was my first trip with them
together going to the Coast to finding the Red Knot what was the target
bird.We took both cars since there had to leave earlier,and with my new
Scion
XD,yes made by Toyota What getting good gas Mileage 38 per gallon,(but only
on the freeway)
We birdied from Nisqually where we met to Tokeland with the BEST Weather
you can wish for.Our first stop was the Bowerman Sewage Ponds,where the pond
looked quite empty.Lots and lots of Swallows browsing around Vaux's Swift
mixed in. We looked the Scoups careful over and there where both
species .looking for the Tufted Duck what David Richardson found on the
Grays Harbor Festival.the other ducks where the many Northern Shovelers.On
the way out we saw the adult Osprey not sitting on the nest ,but watching us
from a pole next to the nest close view's
We was anxious to going to bottle beach bit stopped at Acosta 3rd Street,We
was bomb with all the many Swallows flying to catch insect's,but walking to
the water to the pond produced 2 pair of Cinnamon Teals paired up to breed
Mallard Ducks and 1 lone female Greater Scaup,lot's of Redwing Black
birds..We both forgot our I-Pod for calling the rails in the Marsh
Next was Bottle Beach,who we had the BEST BIRDYING on this trip.There where
only 5 birders,the tide was coming in slowly past the big pilings.The
beach was covert from left to right,with lot's of
puddle .One luck and we was astonished that the beach was loaded with the
most overwhelming
RED KNOTS.Who ever we walked the beach,there where RED KNOTS,feeding ore
resting.We all agreed there where about 900 ore even more.It was quite a
long time as Patrick ,Matt Bartels and I had 450 all counted had.But this
here was the most.When there rested there was usual mixed with Dunlin's who
also was in high numbers.There was still the 1 Whimbrel,some Black-bellies
Plovers,
not to many Short-billed Dowitchers,Western Sandpipers in nice breeding
plumage,few Least and few Sanderlings.Non of the Shorebirds flying away.Some
birds went as far way up to the beach where the grass started.One of the
best viewing in a long time.

Next we had lunch at the Oysterhaus,what was great food,and we was lucky to
find the 21 Ruddy Turnstone most all in breeding plumage's.Thank to Greg
Thompson who found this birds.

Next to Tokeland,who we really did not found the masses of the big
Shorebirds.The tide was high and there was only a group of 125 Whimbrel
flying in,on the far left of the Jetty. A small group of Marbled Godwit of
200 flew in,but never settled ,all flying to the right past the Marina. We
kind of followed and went behind the pilings to see if there settled
down.But we found only 5 Ruddy there again.Lot's of Swallow activity but
not heard ore see any Martin,but there can be hard to see to there feeding
the young bringing food to nest..The other birds where 1 female
Red-breasted Merganser,and another female Greater Scaup.
Our Party of 3 parted here ,and we all had a GREAT TIME Together.

I went alone checking out Midway Beach, the only birds I had here the
female Northern Harrier
and a Lincoln Sparrow plus a Common Yellowthroad.
Midway Beach is NOT ACCESSIBLE!!!!!!!The sign says NO TRESPASSING!!!!!!

A fast drive to Schaefer Boom Road produced 2 Turkey Vultures and the
only Red-tailed Hawk
On Brady Loop another 2 Turkey Vulture and a huge group of Savanna Sparrows
30 birds
The fields are plowed and every where was Robin's eating the worms.
We had another 2 Turkey Vulture's on Highway 8 on our way up.

Cheers Ruth Sullivan
Tacoma