Tweets,

I went out to the coast on Saturday with a non-birding friend, but managed to finagle a side trip to Tokeland out of the deal.

We went first to the jetty at Ocean Shores. I always like seeing the BROWN PELICANS and there was a raft of at least 30 feeding just offshore. I realize these are not rare, but for me, they are a treat. I also saw two possible WHITE PELICANS flying off. I was really confused, since I have only seen these East of the mountains, but a birder later in Tokeland said that some had been seen with the Brown's. But I do not have photos of the Whites and they didn't reappear. It was fairly overcast and foggy at times - all my photos look like they are black and white.

We also saw dozens of Heermann's Gulls, several Surfbirds, and California and Glaucous Winged gulls.

I could have spent more time just watching the birds surfing the incoming waves and feeding, but we headed to a very quiet, bird-wise, beach for my friend, and then to Tokeland.

We headed to the marina first. The sky was bright blue and clear at this point. My friend opted to read in the car. I turned to see dozens (hundreds?) of birds seemingly everywhere. Mostly these were the BROWN PELICANS and HEERMANN'S GULLS. At the end of a spit, mixed in with the pelicans, were several GREAT EGRETS. They looked really small in comparison. There were some SURFBIRDS and MARBLED GODWITS. I know a Hudsonian had been reported; I was not able to discern that without a spotting scope. The marbled godwits were beautiful against the blue sky. A CASPIAN TERN flew over, but no Elegant - so off to Graveyard Spit. By the time I got there, the fog had come in and completely obscured the spit, but I could hear the Caspian's calling, loudly. I waited as long as my friend could tolerate, probably forty five minutes, but missed the fog lifting. She was suitably impressed by the number of birders who arrived and piled out of their cars with scopes and cameras.

I know there was at least one other Tweeter there, and many other friendly birders who had good suggestions for seeing the birds and chatted while we waited. Thanks you for the great conversation! This was a break in a busy schedule, and a reconnection to birding for me after a long break.

On the drive back, I noted two soaring TURKEY VULTURES among 105, a NORTHERN HARRIER and a REDTAIL HAWK. I usually see quite a few raptors - is it a bit quiet for them right now?

While there were no rarities, this was a great trip for me, and I enjoyed just watching so many birds in one place.

Jackie Owens
Seattle, WA