Shorebirds at Chehalis Estuary

[kastern]

Over night we suddenly have Shorebirds over here at the Chehalis Estuary ;D

Grabbed my camera and binoculars and headed down to the shoreline before I'd even brushed my teeth and combed my hair! It was beautiful down there! There were a lot of Killdeer and mixed in with them some Least Sandpipers and a flock of about 14 of so other small 'peeps' that I am not sure of yet. I think either Dunlin or possibly Western. Hopefully when I download my pictures I'll be able to ID better. There were also a number of Heron. I walked over to Eagle Point Park but only saw 1 Spotted Sandpiper over there - the activity was all closer to the viewing platform end. Oh also saw at least 5 Flycatchers - again not sure of ID, I am thinking Western Wood PeeWee but hopefully will have a better ID when I download the pictures.

Went back down mid day, and could add a couple of Wilson's Snipe to the list. They've been there for a while, but these two actually stood there while I snapped pictures ;D

Anyway, thought you would like to know that migration must be underway with these first arrivals - I won't do down there without binoculars and camera for the next while

Kathy

[kastern]

My apologies in advance for the length of this but it has been a productive - but confusing - birding weekend and I am not at all sure about various ID's. Forget what I said in the previous email as to ID of shorebirds and flycatchers. After studying photos and consulting with a fellow birder more 'up' on shorebirds than I, I have come up with totally different conclusions - however, I am posting lots of pictures in hopes that others will either 'concur' or if not, give me the actual ID's.



Friday am I saw this flock of Shorebirds. There were also a lot of Killdeer in the same area.



Later in the day I saw this lone Shorebird, in the same general area so 'assume' it is the same type. After consultation I have decided it is a Baird's Sandpiper. If the ID is correct - that would be another species for the Chehalis Estuary



These Snipe were in the exact same place as the above Shorebird



and this Spotted Sandpiper was just the other side of the bay along with about 5 Killdeer.



Yesterday we went canoeing and came across this little flock of 6 Sandpiper - again I assume they are the same type I had seen the day before. I have a number of photos of different views - here are some of them.




again - I have come up with Baird's as an ID

Shorebirds weren't the only confusing things seen however - the Flycatchers that I saw on Friday, and again yesterday, in the area of the viewing platform at Eagle Point, I now think are Willow Flycathers. Am I right


In this same area we spotted this Sparrow - I managed a quick couple of pictures (not great ones) before it, and two other's flew off. I think it was a Lincoln's Sparrow


and lastly, also in the same area, were a number of these



Now I'm thinking that they are fledgling Common Yellowthroat, due to the area they were in, however, I am confused by the obvious yellowgreen wings and tail and the fact that there was definitely grey on the top of the head. Sibley's show's first year males as having grey around the eye area, but not on the top of the head. Could they possibly be young Nashville Warblers - although the tail seems a bit long and although Nashville Warblers pass through here in spring, I haven't seen any all summer.

Anyway that is it

Looking forward to comments as to ID's etc.
Kathy

[Gord]

NICE!! Great pictures!

Good work on the Baird's Sandpipers! I need to go update the bird alert!!




I suspect this is a brightish western (I think) sandpiper though. Baird's, as you show in the bottom two shots of the sandpipers, dont have the rufous colouring, have nice long wings extending past the tail, nice buffy breast and real 'scaly' on the back. Beautiful birds and beautiful pictures of them!!!!

I agree that the flycatcher is a willow even though an alder is impossible to tell apart from willow unless they make noise. Very safe to say willow though as alder is rare around here, but not unlikely.

Also agree with the Lincoln's sparrows. Migration is on!

Just so I dont use the word 'agree' again, Ill say I 'concur' on your ID of the yellowthroats!

Good work and great pictures!