An amazing week of infrequent visitors, both avian and human, to the Neah Bay area and the Wa?atch River Valley. The charismatic magnet was the Eurasian Hobby, but there were several others that drew hordes of birders to the area. While the number of birders at one time during the week went from a handful to 20 or so, by Saturday, with beautiful weather and the intrigue of many Tweeters and eBird reports, there were in the neighborhood of 150 rarity seekers lined up on Makah Passage?a quick back of the envelope calculation: about $300,000 worth of optics.

Practically everyone went home with life birds and great stories. I was fortunate to have good views of some of the rarities and share these photos and videos.

Orchard Oriole
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6076217620301936866
http://youtu.be/5bS607UKT2U
Bullock?s Oriole
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6077290729767637538
Brambling
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6077290849817956754
http://youtu.be/DGu0e2iWyS8
Black-legged Kittiwake
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6077290357482638146
http://youtu.be/b6zxYLN48rI
Tropical Kingbird
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6077290630420178082
Northern Pygmy-Owl
https://picasaweb.google.com/104613265151815506340/NeahBay#6077290520309075634
http://youtu.be/A9Rz9oC9LjM

Scott Ramos
Seattle