Obol,
Saw my first movement of shorebirds along the beach today. The wind is
pushing birds onto the beach as they migrate north. The first flock I
encountered were 20-30 flyover DUNLIN. After getting off the plover
nesting area I encountered a flock of 13 WESTERN SANDPIPERS with a similar
number of DUNLIN on the beach at the south access point of Oregon Dunes
Overlook Loop trail. Further up the beach, just north of the north access
of the same trail, was a flock of 35 or so DUNLIN with 1 WESTERN SP and a
surprising BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. The Baird's stayed mostly on the edge of the
flock and was easy to relocate each time they flew. It called several
times. I got a few meager digiscope photos but they were antsy and
eventually the flock flew north and I never saw them again. I believe this
is only my 3rd spring Baird's after 12 seasons on the beach.
Unfortunately these areas are not accessible to the public at this time as
all of the Oregon Dunes NRA is closed due to the virus.
https://ebird.org/pnw/checklist/S66877330
Good birding,
Daniel Farrar
jdanielfarrar@xxxxxxxxx
