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November 6, 2004

Our first stop was the Ocean Shores jetty. It was misting and we were wiping down our lenses, but that was no problem, because we were focused on at least 6 ROCK SANDPIPERS, mixed in with larger numbers of BLACK TURNSTONES and SURFBIRDS. These birds were at the base of the jetty and remained there until the last one of us was satiated. It was a rare opportunity to see Rock Sandpiper in quantity for a length of time. Also seen at the jetty was an assortment of gulls but little else.

Next we visited the STP where we saw BUFFLEHEAD, LESSER SCAUP and GUY McWETHY. The most notable sighting at that location was Guy. He was very generous and related to us his find of 3 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPERS on the game range. Off we went. In about 20 minutes we spooked a lone SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER in the salicornia. If flew a few feet and froze in full few, but a few feet away. Ya dream about this sort of thing. After a few minutes it flew. We found the bird again across the stream and watched it some more. Thank you Guy.  Also at the game range: LEAST SANDPIPER, DUNLIN, KILLDEER, GREAT EGRET, AMERICAN PIPIT, BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

By now it was lunch time. I wanted to gobble on the go, but a persuasive birder convinced me that if we parked at Damon Point parking lot, we would see the PALM WARBLERS that we sought, while we ate. How DID she know this? There they were, 2 of them. They were at the edge of the small parking lot where the bathroom is. As we sat and gobbled, the palms chipped and bobbed.

The group wanted Lapland Longspur so we headed out the Damon Point Rd on foot. We went as far as the pond but neither saw nor heard a longspur. Not much of anything else, either. At the golf course we saw several Mallard-sized CACKLING CANADA GEESE with 3 ALEUTIAN CANADA GEESE.

By this time limited daylight remained so we drove to Brady Loop to see what else we could find. Just before dark, we came upon a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK.

Except for early morning mist, the weather was dry and mild. The birds were cooperative. The company was great. It was a good day.