Tweeters:

Please report your observations of color-marked Red Knots! The migration of this species has begun, and their movement through Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay will extend through about the third week of May. Bowerman Basin had a good-sized flock for a couple of days last year and in recent years Bottle Beach has supported up to hundreds of Red Knots, especially after about the first week of May.

Red Knots have been color-marked in Russia, Alaska, Washington and Mexico during the last decade. The color marks are flags (color bands with a short tab that sticks out about 15 mm) that are placed on the upper leg; nearly all flags have numeric or alpha-numeric codes. If you see a marked Red Knot please report your observation to me and I will be able to provide information on the location and date the bird was marked. The vast majority of Red Knots were marked in Mexico (lemon yellow flag with black code; sometimes with a secondary red band lower on the leg) and the United States (lime green and dark green flags, both with white code).

When reporting observations please include your name, the date and location of the observation, the color of the flag, the flag code, and your contact information.

This information helps us better understand the movements of knots along the flyway.

Thanks for your help.

Joe Buchanan
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia, Washington
Joseph.Buchanan at dfw.wa.gov