I looked for the mountain plover north of Quinault casino from 8.30-10.15am.
I went about twice as far from the casino as the group of four houses, with
no luck. I also went a little south of the casino, as the trend of the
bird's movements over the days seems to have been in that direction. It was
raining the entire time, which didn't please me much. There was a peregrine
patrolling from the logs along that stretch of beach, which may not have
pleased the plover. It's definitely worth checking again when conditions are
more amenable for both bird and birders!



I did not see the queen eider from the pilings or the treatment plant. I
stopped by the Point Brown jetty long enough to ascertain that conditions
were not favourable for seeking rock sandpipers - too much spray, and rain
blowing in the direction any lens would be pointing. I had planned to check
the beach again for the plover, but by that point I'd had enough of birding
in the rain.



Final score - Target Birds 3, Louise 0.



Best bird was a rather unexpected hermit thrush in a scrubby bush by the
casino. There were also four trumpeter swans in the water by the bridge at
the casino entrance road.



I drove around the Brady Loop on the way back. The western flooded fields
contained a horned grebe, as well as a typical assortment of ducks. The
western road has several flooded sections, but shallow enough for a normal
car.



There were two large flocks of swans on the eastern side, and I picked out a
couple of tundras among the trumpeters. There were three snow geese with one
of the flocks. No gulls at all. There were 7 or 8 Eurasian collared doves
and a western scrub jay at the north-east corner house if anyone's still
interested in those.



Louise Rutter

Kirkland