[obol] Seaside update

[David C. Bailey]

A few of the expected sandpipers and plover are staging in the Necanicum 
River Estuary. BLACK TURNSTONES are down to one, but we expect another 
wave of rockpipers to stop at The Cove any day now. WHIMBREL AND GODWITS 
and BLACK-BELLIED PLOVERS are frequenting Wireless Rd. up between 
Astoria and Warrenton and there are still G. WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and a 
1st winter 1st cycle 1st basic immature GLAUCOUS GULL working the fish 
waste strewn fields.

Steve Warner reported a PRAIRIE form of the MERLIN seen from Capp Rd.. 
Near Tucker Creek Rd. and the Youngs River Loop. We looked yesterday, 
but all we found was a RED-TAILED HAWK. Sterves brief description to me 
sounded convincing.

I was somewhat surprised to find a flock of 10 ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLERS 
working the evergreen huckleberry bushes in my Seaside yard and the 
neighbors this late morning near noon. I have not encountered this large 
a flock at home before. There was a LINCLON'S SPARROW coming to the 
spilled seed at my feeding station this morning. Two RED-BREASTED 
MERGANSERS are still working the Neawanna and Neacoxie Creek mouths in 
the Necanicum Estuary. Copulating CASPIAN TERNS were doing it on the 
sand in during low tide there in the wide open middle of the flats.

I saw a damsel fly yesterday that seemed recently emerged.

A flock of G. WHITE-FRONTED GEESE just flew noisily over my home at 
11:10 pm.

Still waiting for the big push of shorebirds and migrants which will 
begin in earnest this weekend I predict.

A CRESTED CARACARA was just seen today at the Smith River in Del Norte 
Co. California. That is one for all to look out for.

If the pelicans are moving, the HEERMAN'S GULLS can't be too far behind.

David

David C. Bailey
Seaside, Oregon