[Tweeters] From Paul Hicks - Hudsonian Godwit in Tokeland

[Kathleen Snyder]

Tweets,

Some observations of *Hudsonian Godwit* on Friday, September 1 at the
Tokeland Marina: Overall gray and noticeably smaller than Marbleds (and
Bar-taileds) with more contrasty pale supercilium. From the rear the
tail-tip is obviously solid black with no barring on tail-side (different
from other godwits’ alternate dark bars on pale background). Fairly fine,
curved barring on lower flanks behind thighs. During a very brief wing-flip
I saw the white tail-base. Upperparts have a “feathered” appearance
(sizable feathers neatly laying down) in comparison with the “marbled” or
spotted appearance of Marbleds. Some of the larger feathers had a darker
center; nearly all were fringed with a dull rufous or warm brown --
probably highlighted some by the close-to-setting sunlight (2 hours before
sunset). Other birders (eg Kameron Lantor) note that the black underwing is
the most distinctive field mark in flight. *Timing:* Mid-tide, either
rising or falling, is the best time for close-up viewing of the feeding
godwits (per Bill Shelmerdine). Friday the godwit flock left the breakwater
(where they rest during high tide) at 5:55pm to feed on the exposed shore
in front of the marina office. This was 3 hours after a relatively high
high tide of 9 ft, when the tide had receded to a mid-tide level of 4.5
feet. For some reason this Hudsonian is apparently not always present with
the other godwits, or at least not detected. The previous Tuesday less than
a third of our group of 15 spotted it among the hundreds of Marbleds.

Good birding!
Paul Hicks
Tenino/St George, Utah
paulhicks7373 AT gmail DOT com
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