The juvenile HUDSONIAN GODWIT was showing well on the green algal mudflats
across the channel and west of the "Wildlife viewing bunker" (a good
intention, but a failure in purpose; funded by the Oregon Lottery...) this
evening. The tide was so low that I could walk all the way out and around
the island; something I had not know was possible until today. The Godwit
was vary actively and successfully foraging over a hundred meters from the
nearest vascular plants of the island and I had no need to approach it
closely. The view from the island did provide the better angle for lighting
compared to that from the parking lot D side of Fort Stevens State Park.
Also on the flats there were a single BAIRD'S SANDPIPER, two PECTORAL
SANDPIPERS, several dozen SEMIPALMATED PLOVER, and a handful of LEAST AND
WESTERN SANDPIPERS.
I unintentionally flushed a young SHORT-EARED OWL from the thick grasses of
the island as I traversed the upland. The owl flew to the parking lot D
side of the estuary and disappeared in the grasses there.
At parking lot C I noted four LAPLAND LONGSPURS in the pickleweed flats
near the west pond.
Back in Seaside at Shore Terrace Loop road east of N. Wahanna Rd. were I
like to look for migrant landbirds during migration there has been good
diversity and the expected noticeable movements of YELLOW WARBLERS. See
ebird for complete lists: https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48592056 and
https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S48629944
David
David C. Bailey
Seaside, Oregon
