Tweeters,

On Saturday, Guy McWethy and I birded the Gray's Harbor area to try and find
some of the reported rarities such as American Avocet, Buff-breasted
Sandpiper, Snowy Plover and Hudsonian Godwit. Those four were my targets
and we managed to find them all.



We started at the Hoquiam STP where we found the AMERICAN AVOCET napping at
the end of the little mud island. Plenty of other birds around such as a
group of CASPIAN TERNS and lots of BROWN PELICANS.



Around 11am we got to the Oyehut Game Range where we ran into John Gatchet
who was looking for about the same birds so he spent the day with us. A
group was already there who had located the BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.
Despite a MERLIN and PEREGINE FALCON, we got good looks at Buffy. Lots of
other semi-rarities there such as SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, BAIRD'S SANDPIPER,
SOLITARY SANDPIPER and at least 4 STILT SANDPIPERS. There were also reports
of a Pacific Golden Plover earlier which we did not see and I'm not if sure
the Sharp-tailed sandpiper was seen that day.



Next we hit Westport which had several hundred MARBLED GODWITS but no
Hudsonian. We also saw a 30 inch Ocean Sunfish swimming alongside the boat
dock just a few feet away from us.



At Cranberry Beach road, we hiked about a quarter mile south and found a
trio of SNOWY PLOVERS. A big surprise with all the cars, dogs, kites and
activity. We also tried Midway which had small numbers of fairly typical
shorebirds, but from the surfline we were able to see hundreds of SOOTY
SHEARWATERS and one JAEGER of some kind. We also had a flyover by a dozen
WHIMBREL.



Our plan was to hit Bottle Beach next but Guy decided we should check
Tweeters first. Alas, a Hudsonian had been reported at Tokeland that
morning so we headed south instead of north. Tokeland Marina only had 30 or
40 Godwits, and we couldn't turn up a Hudsonian. But we walked to the boat
launch anyhow for one last, closer look. Somehow, the HUDSONIAN GODWIT
suddenly appeared. All the markings were very evident including the black
tail. Not sure how we missed it the first time through. Since one was
also seen at Bottle Beach, I assume there are now two.



We actually ended up with 22 shorebird species for the day which ties my
best day. And we missed Dunlin, all the large plovers and all the
rockpipers. Has anyone ever managed 30 shorebird species in a day in
Washington? Apparently it's possible.



Here's a link to a few pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/102009338713990315115/PicturesForSharing#
<https://picasaweb.google.com/102009338713990315115/PicturesForSharing>



Randy Bjorklund

Federal Way, WA