Greater Yellowlegs are probably the first migrant shorebirds. Some of them winter, but migrants are coming in in late March, turning up in places where they were absent in winter. Other shorebirds coming in in late March include Long-billed Curlews, but they are coming to their breeding grounds, not migrating through. Hard to say what is going on with birds such as Killdeers, Wilson's Snipes, Dunlins and others that are common winterers. The main push of shorebird migration starts in mid April, when birds such as Short-billed Dowitchers start showing up. We know they didn't winter.

Penn Cove on Whidbey Island is often a good place for Surfbirds and Black Turnstones. Black Turnstones (usually without Surfbirds) are on Semiahmoo Spit and at Fort Flagler State Park. Rock Sandpipers are quite rare away from the outer coast. Port Susan and Skagit Bays have plenty of Dunlins and Black-bellied Plovers, much smaller numbers of Least and Western Sandpipers and Long-billed Dowitchers. Sanderlings and Dunlins are scattered all along the east side of Puget Sound, often on gravelly or sandy shores.

Dennis


On Mar 30, 2012, at 9:19 AM, Cindy Ashy wrote:

> Hi. I've seen 9 yellowlegs on the north end of Birch Bay for 2 days. 8 of them I'm almost certain are Greater Yellowlegs but one may be a Lesser Yellowlegs. Of course, across the border will be much better.
>
> Cindy Ashy
>
> --- On Fri, 3/30/12, Ashley Jensen <smashley_138 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Ashley Jensen <smashley_138 at yahoo.com>
>> Subject: [Tweeters] "Winter" Shorebirds
>> To: "tweeters at u.washington.edu" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
>> Date: Friday, March 30, 2012, 2:55 AM
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> I'm looking for any good shorebird spots. I've heard the
>> whole gray's harbor area is great, and I also realize
>> migration has just barely begun. Anyone starting to see any
>> shorebird migrants?
>> My other question (if anyone knows), is: are there any
>> realizable spots within Puget sound (preferably eastern
>> side) to see "wintering" or year round shorebird species?
>> Like surfbirds, turnstones, rock sandpipers etc?
>> I tried Alki beach today. No shorebirds. Lots of Brants,
>> pelagic cormies, sea ducks, some guillemots and a few
>> harlequin ducks. But no shorebirds. Did I just have bad luck
>> (maybe because it was pouring rain all day) or are these
>> birds moving to different areas?
>> Does anyone have any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> Ashley Jensen
>> Monroe, WA
>> SMashley_138 AT yahoo.com
>>
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>>
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-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson at comcast.net