S I G H T I N G S  

Below are survey reports from the Grays Harbor NWR Wildlife Biologist and Refuge Volunteers. Surveys are conducted every few days during shorebird migration. All surveys are begun just before high tide and are conducted along the Sandpiper Trail at the Refuge.

Note: Non-shorebird species are listed in italic font.

2013 Shorebird Sightings

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 22,992
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	11
Semipalmated Plover	68
Dunlin	5,070
Western Sandpiper	11,830
Least Sandpiper	700
Red Knot	320
Dowitcher spp.	0
Red-neecked Phalerope	0
Yellowlegs spp.	3
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	3,300
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	0
Bald Eagle	1
Comments: Breezy on shore rain squalls, partly cloudy. High tide 10.5 feet. Huge tide into the salt marsh. Counts done on falling tide..

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 41,025
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	38
Semipalmated Plover	425
Dunlin	13,500
Western Sandpiper	12,000
Least Sandpiper	45
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	5
Red-neecked Phalerope	0
Yellowlegs spp.	12
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	15,000
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	0
Bald Eagle	0
Comments: NO raptors! 30-40% or birds were roosting/preening. Lots of shorebirds along mudflats at NE and N portions of basin.

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 36,903
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	0
Semipalmated Plover	194
Dunlin	18,350
Western Sandpiper	18,350
Least Sandpiper	0
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	1
Red-neecked Phalerope	0
Yellowlegs spp.	8
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	0
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	0
Bald Eagle	1
Comments: Breezy on shore rain squalls, partly cloudy. High tide 10.5 feet. Huge tide into the salt marsh. Counts done on falling tide..

Date: Sunday, April 28, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 48,106
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	9
Semipalmated Plover	67
Dunlin	4000
Western Sandpiper	14,000
Least Sandpiper	10
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	8
Whimbrel	2
Yellowlegs spp.	0
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	20,000
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	1
Bald Eagle	2
Comments: Sun, On-shore wind 10 mph; partly cloudy; High tide 9.5 feet.

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 35,194
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	34
Semipalmated Plover	142
Dunlin	17,500
Western Sandpiper	17,500
Least Sandpiper	9
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	2
Red-neecked Phalerope	0
Yellowlegs spp.	7
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	1
Merlin	1
Bald Eagle	0
Comments: 800 Greater White-fronted Geese.

3

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 12,139
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	1
Semipalmated Plover	16
Dunlin	12
Western Sandpiper	110
Least Sandpiper	0
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	0
Red-neecked Phalerope	0
Yellowlegs spp.	7
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	12,000
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	1
Bald Eagle	2
Comments: 1 Northern Harrier as well.

Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Total shorebirds observed: 12,067
Species	Approx. # seen
Black-bellied Plover	1
Semipalmated Plover	30
Dunlin	20
Western Sandpiper	0
Least Sandpiper	0
Red Knot	0
Dowitcher spp.	19
Red-neecked Phalerope	6
Yellowlegs spp.	4
Mini-Moon Island Unidentified spp.	12,000
Caspain Tern	0
Peregrine Falcon	0
Merlin	1
Bald Eagle	0
Comments: Sunny, light on-shore breeze. Tides low, therefore not many birds on the Refuge.