Every Pacific Northwest birder refers to Dennis Paulson’s definitive book “Shorebirds of the Pacific Northwest” when we want to get the best available help with shorebird issues. Today 15 ABC members, myself included, had the pleasure of spending a day with Dennis at Ocean Shores looking for shorebirds and learning from his vast experience. One of the major topics of the day was the dramatic absence of shorebirds to study. We made several stops at the usual places, the jetty at Brown’s point, both sides of the Oyhut Game Range, the open beach and the Hoquiam STP. We managed to see only 10 species of shorebirds, and in relatively low numbers. Still we all felt fortunate to have the opportunity to be out with Dennis, learn from his approach to bird identification, and all had a really nice day.
Our time at the Jetty was quite productive, with 3 “rock-pipers” Black Turnstone, Surfbird and Wandering Tattler seen along with good numbers of Common Murres, and intermittently large numbers of Sooty Shearwaters. Dennis helped us ID a young probably early second-cycle Herring Gull on the beach. The game range was pretty quiet, we suspect in part due to the two Peregrine Falcons and the Cooper’s Hawk who kept what shorebirds were there on the defensive.
We finished at the Hoquiam STP and had nice looks at a basic plumage Eared Grebe and a good variety of ducks and gulls, but again alas the only shorebird was a single Killdeer.
Thanks to Dennis for leading the trip, to Kay Pullen for helping to arrange it, and to the participants for helping make it possible. Good Birding.