Tweets, After a busy summer I'm trying to make up for lost time. Monday I
found the FRANKLIN'S GULL at the end of Alexander St as previous posters
described. To clarify, the turnoff from Hwy 509 is onto Taylor, not onto the
Alexander which you pass first if northbound; then left on Lincoln, then
right on Alexander to the end. After a rail crossing or two, at the
warehouse complex I veered right then left to the back side very near the
bay. The warehouse personnel were very helpful, gave me permission to drive
on the flat cement surface where there were three distinct gull flocks -
just watch out for pieces of metal. The Franklin's was among the farthest
group. A state bird for me. Tuesday I headed to the coast in search of the
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and golden plovers posted in recent days. A Peregrine
spooked everything at Bottle Beach when I arrived, but my timing was off
anyway because I really got tied up at Midway (which was dead) and wasted an
hour dealing with the water barrier. Not only is the road submerged but
crossing through the vegetation is a wet ordeal, too - boots required, FYI.
Same story if accessing the Oyhut Game Range, Ocean Shores, from Tonquin St.
The pond at the end of Tonquin is quite expansive after being "bone dry"
according to a report from summertime. The better access would be from near
the large cement water tank along Marine Drive. But I did find about 10 of
the GOLDEN PLOVERS (about half the number reported by Jim Danzenbaker), both
species, in the final half-hour of daylight. They were fairly vocal and
approachable (time of day?), located among the higher, drier dunes and drift
near the bay, directly in line between the white aviation beacon at the end
of Tonquin and the Ocean Shores STP and nearby tall navigation tower to the
west. Perhaps the most interesting bird of the day was a mystery
sparrow-type flushed from the broom near the second set of poles at the
Midway access -- still trying to figure that one out, maybe a Vesper -- but
only a quick glimpse. 83 species on the day, and didn't even make it to the
jetty or open waters. Good birding!
-- Paul Hicks / Tenino / phicks AT accessgrace.org