[Tweeters] Ocean Shores report

[Karen Wosilait]

Earlier this fall shorebird migration, there had been a question about shorebirds at Oyhut. I just spent 3 days in the Ocean Shores area, and in general, shorebird numbers were down from previous years (exception follows). It looks like the hearty birders who went all the way out on Damon Point were rewarded with Golden Plover sightings. 

We did have success on the outer (ocean side) after high tide north of the Quinault Casino but south of Ocean City. On the last 2 days we found huge mixed flocks of shorebirds. I counted 150+ Black-bellied Plovers one day and probably more the next. 60+ dowitchers (mostly Short-billed juveniles as far as I could tell—foggy that day), at least 8 Red Knots both days, lots of Sanderlings and Western Sandpipers, some Dunlin in winter plumage and a few Least Sandpipers. It probably would have been a highlight of most trips to the coast—such fun to have so many shorebirds to pick through!  

Water levels at Oyhut were low. One day at the Tonquin St side we had 2 Black-bellied Plovers, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, 2 Least Sandpipers, and a couple Sanderling.  The first day, we had a Peregrine and a Merlin and found shorebirds only on the beach there:  a number of Black-bellied Plovers and a Red Knot. The access at the STP side is wetter along the beach than I remembered, and we ended up changing our plans since we’d ventured out without our mud boots. 

If others found more birds in the Ocean Shores area, I’d love to hear about it.  The huge flocks on the beach were a treat though!

Karen Wosilait (she/her)
Seattle, WA
karen.w.mobile at gmail.com