Subject: [Tweeters] Wheatear, Bobolink at Westhaven State Park
Date: Nov 4 21:38:47 2012
From: Bob Schmidt - bobs at world-wide.com


My birding companions, Peter Carr, Vincent Lucas, and Richard Rowlett and I
were among the fortunately few who saw the Bobolink well and the Wheatear
barely and briefly in the morning. Kudos to Gary and a couple of others for
finding and sharing these birds. But with the weather less than optimal
(ALL DAY) we had to try some other spots before becoming completely soaked.
We briefly tried Grayland SP, Midway, and Warrenton-Cannery Road but
reluctantly decided that the Wilson's Plover was not likely to be found in
on the puddled and wave washed beaches. I was also not too optimistic when
we arrived at Tokeland Harbor and didn't see any birds on the riprap island.
But it turned out there were 9 godwits on the boat ramp dock and soon after
discovered one was a Bar-tailed! Actually 35 more godwits and 7 Willets
flew in while we were having an only slightly wet lunch and when most of the
godwits spooked only the sedate Bar-tailed remained with the Willets. We
thought this was strange flocking companionship. At 1 PM we decided to try
Westhaven SP one last time only to learn we missed the skittish Wheatear by
a half an hour. With the wind fierce as ever we had discussed making this
another short stop. There were about a dozen birders milling around as I
walked back to east end of the jetty overlooking Half Moon Bay. I was
watching two Black Turnstones when instinct told me to turn around just in
time to have the Wheatear land 20 feet away from me. Not only did I get
great looks but most of the other birders saw it well as this time the bird
worked the beach logs and dune walls of Half Moon Bay for many minutes
instead of the usual fast disappearing act. I know I am certainly glad we
defied challenging conditions, stuck it out all day, and saw some great
birds.



Bob Schmidt, Bothell, WA

bobs at world hyphen wide dot com



From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Gary Wiles
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2012 8:05 PM
To: Tweeters
Subject: [Tweeters] Wheatear, Bobolink at Westhaven State Park





Tweeters,



The wheatear was again present today at its standard location at Westhaven
State Park. It gave only a few fleeting or distant glimpses between 8 and
10:30 a.m. while I was present with a few other birders. The weather
conditions were generally poor, being windy and drizzly most of that time.



We had one other good bird make an appearance as well, a Bobolink in
nonbreeding plumage that was far more cooperative than the wheatear, giving
us a long close look.



Gary Wiles

Olympia, WA

wilesharkey at yahoo.com
<http://us.mc1126.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=wilesharkey at yahoo.com>