----- Original Message -----
From: "Ruth Sullivan" <godwit513 at comcast.net>
To: <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 12:57 PM
Subject: Great Trip to The Coast!!!!!


> 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
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