On February 23, I ventured to Ocean Shores and tromped around Damon Point,
doing what everybody else was doing, Snowy Owl watching. However, I did
enjoy the fairly large numbers of Dunlin, some Sanderlings and one Least
Sandpiper. But, the best part of the day, was spending time observing
behavior of a mixed group of Black Turnstones, Surfbirds, and Rock
Sandpipers near the base of the North Jetty along Ocean Shores Boulevard. I
know it's quite a ways to go, from Seattle, but a very rewarding place to go
to see birds that might be hard to come by on the east side of Puget Sound.

I know I've seen Black Turnstones on the logs along the north side of
Commencement Bay in Tacoma. Maybe others know how dependably you can find
them there at this time of year. I didn't see any when I visited about a
month ago.

Kennedy Creek mouth is also good, right now, for Dunlin and Greater
Yellowlegs are dependable at Mud Bay, just outside of west Olympia.

Kelly McAllister
Olympia, Washington

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Gary Smith
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 10:22 AM
To: 'Ashley Jensen'; tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: [Tweeters] "Winter" Shorebirds

Hi, Ashley,

While Alki in general is not that great for shorebirds, a pretty reliable
area for Surfbirds and Black Turnstones is the rocks on the seawall right
around Duwamish Head (usually the east side).

In past winters the beach south of the Alki Lighthouse has been fairly good
for Sanderlings, but this winter they have been considerably fewer in number
and much less faithful to that area.

On the main Alki Beach area, shorebirds are a hit-and-miss proposition.

In migration, we may see small numbers of other shorebirds, but the
occasions are always brief. I hope others can give you better suggestions!


Gary T. Smith
Alki Point, Seattle


-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Ashley
Jensen
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 12:56 AM
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Subject: [Tweeters] "Winter" Shorebirds

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

_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters


_______________________________________________
Tweeters mailing list
Tweeters at u.washington.edu
http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/tweeters