[obol] Storm birds, Bandon Coos Cty

[DJ Lauten and KACastelein]

12/3  Bandon Coos Cty 7:30 PM

Finally got our power back on, wind not as strong anymore.  Still 
blowing pretty good, but not like yesterday, last night, and today.  One 
of the longest, and strongest storms we've seen.  Dangerous, and 
frankly, just a wee bit scary.  No power this morning, so we headed out 
to see what was around.  Found a Russ Namitz.  Good find, but pretty 
common these days.  You often see at least one when out birding.

Gulls were packed  into the Coquille Estuary.  A large flock was on the 
docks in the morning, and another huge flock was in the south jetty 
cove.  Then we found an enormous number at Bandon Marsh, along the south 
side of the Coquille River across from Bullard's State Park.  Several 
thousand were there, and then another enormous flock was up river at 
Rocky Point.  In total we estimated we say 5500 Gulls in the Bay.  All 
the usual suspects, but it was nearly impossible to get any percentages 
based on packed tightness of flocks, driving rain and wind, and 
distance, viewing angle.  Nothing unuasual gull wise, no Heerman's 
despite seeing about 10 BROWN PELICANS , almost all early with the gulls 
across from Bullard's, but later in the afternoon a huge flock of gulls 
was at the south jetty cove and pelicans were there too.  Up to six 
BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS were in the cove in the afternoon, and we say some 
BLACK TURNSTONES and SURFBIRDS.  A male HARLEQUIN DUCK was in south cove 
in the morning.  Best bird was a JAEGER, likely PARASITIC, on the 
Coquille River from Bullard's Beach.  We were checking out the gulls and 
jaeger flew heading down river right off the north bank in front of us.  
It was bit tattered, but awesome views.  It flew down river, we chased 
it and last saw it still heading down river.  It was nearly impossible 
to see on the ocean, so no seabirds seen.  Also, not one phalarope, 
which I think is good for phalaropes.  No unusual other things. 

Cheers
Dave Lauten and  Kathy Castelein
Bandon OR
deweysage at verizon.net