[obol] 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Tokeland 8-15-07

[Ruth and/or Patrick Sullivan]

Hello Birders,

Today we birded with Steve Hampton of California at several coastal locations between Ocean Shores to Tokeland(in Washington State)with an overall great day of birding! The weather began quite foggy a Ocean Shores,but conditions soon improved as the fog burned off for an enjoyable day. Our main highlight of the day was locating 2 BAR-TAILED GODWITS at 5pm amongst a large flock of 700+ Marbled Godwits at the Tokeland Marina. Both Bar-tailed Godwits were in non-breeding plumage or transitioning from breeding plumage to winter plumage,so overall the birds appeared very grayish-brown. Due to the distance both Bar-tailed Godwits were a challenge to photos,but we did obtain some photos for documentation purposes. It was definitely a great way to end our day of birding,as it was not an expected species for us to see! We have placed 3 poor quality photos of both Bar-tailed Godwits onto our website taken at the Tokeland Marina,which can be accessed at the following link:  http://www.pbase.com/godwit/recent_photos/

Additionally, our other shorebird highlight of the day went to Baird's Sandpiper observed at 3 locations beginning with a single bird flying with a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at the Oyhut Wildlife Area followed by 10 Baird's Sandpipers at various locations at Damon Point followed by 8 birds at the end of Midway Beach Rd.


Our day began at the Ocean Shores Jetty,where we walked onto a portion of the jetty in heavy fog,but located good numbers of Surfbirds with small numbers of Black Turnstones too. Afterwards we made a quick check at the Ocean Shores STP that produced very few species before we made a walk at the Oyhut Wildlife Area(accessed behind the Ocean Shores STP). Here, almost immediately Steve located 2 juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS that we obtained great comparative looks between many Western and Least Sandpipers in the muddy areas just beyond the tall fluorescent navigation tower. Later, Steve located a third Semipalmated Sandpiper in the estuary area amongst other "peeps". We walked further north,where we checked the estuary area that produced a nice compilation of shorebirds and other species.  Before arriving to this location a lone BANK SWALLOW flew nearby before disappearing into the fog,which was later seen again a short time later with many Barn Swallows. We scanned from various locations over the more flooded areas and located the following notable species:

9 Green-winged Teal
2 Hooded Mergansers
1 Northern Harrier
15 Semipalmated Plovers
1 Black-bellied Plover
2 Greater Yellowlegs
15 Lesser Yellowlegs
1 Wandering Tattler(heard only)
3 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS
1 Baird's Sandpiper
1 Pectoral Sandpiper
8 Short-billed Dowitchers
2 Red-necked Phalaropes
1 adult "Streaked"Horned Lark
1 Am.Pipit(our personal firsts of the season for Grays Harbor Co.)

After birding the Oyhut WA we drove over to Damon Point and spent 2 hours hiking the outer perimeter to the base of Catala Spit then back.  Overall conditions here were quite slow,but a few specialties made up for the hike along with exercise. We began with 5 Marbled Godwits that foraged along the shoreline at the base of Damon Point. Next, we located a flock of 7 Baird's Sandpipers near the tip of Damon Point along the shoreline of North Bay followed by an additional bird that flew overhead calling. As we continued on towards Catala Spit we located 3 Red-breasted Mergansers along with a few Red-throated Loons. On our way back as we hiked along the south shoreline at Damon Point we located 2 Baird's Sandpipers foraging along he tidal line with a single Western Sandpiper. A juvenile Spotted Sandpiper and a single "Streaked"Horned Lark were also present during our hike at Damon Point.

After birding at Damon Point we worked our way to Tokeland beginning with a quick stop at the Hoquiam STP. Here, highlights included the lingering Bufflehead and 2 Red-necked Phalaropes. A single Osprey was still stop a nestsite immediately north of the main pond.  Next, we made a short visit to Midway Beach Rd.,where we located a total of 8 Baird's Sandpipers amongst small numbers of Western and Least Sandpipers and Semipamated Plovers. Other noteworthy species at this location included a single Northern Harrier, 1 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER, a single Red-necked Phalarope and a lone hatch-year "Streaked"Horned Lark.

We arrived at the Tokeland Marina just before 5pm so the water levels were still very high. All the large shorebirds were roosting on the inside portion of the jetty and lighting conditions were superb,as we scoped from the other side of the marina. We scoped through flock and located a candidate for a Bar-tailed Godwit that had it's head tucked in,but upon later revealing it's bill and lifting it's wings proved not to be that species. A short time later we spotted 2 definite Bar-tailed Godwits that rested calmly near each other on the rocks and these birds were well viewed in our spotting scope and great comparison were made between the larger,buffier Marbled Godwits. The Bar-tailed Godwits rested alot,but only occasionally pulled their heads out to reveal the white supercillium,which was only partially observed when they rested at times. The birds remained resting during our entire visit until 6pm,so we never saw them fly. Other shorebirds noted at the Tokeland Marina included: 12+ Willets, 20 Whimbrel, 17 Black Turnstones and 2 Ruddy Turnstones. Additionally, while watching the Bar-tailed Godwits the nesting pair of Purple Martins flew out from the old tire nestsite,then as both adult left we heard the young birds chirping from inside the old tire.

Additional species of note encountered during the day included the following:

1 adult Peregrine Falcon perched atop a dead snag along S.R.105 south of North Cove
1 adult male Purple Martin flying over the Hoquiam River a Hoquiam
2 Western Scrub Jays at Hoquiam



Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
Fircrest,WA
godwit513 at msn.com



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