MAY 2201 0133 • VOL 11, ISSUE 5 THANKS TO OUR ADVERTISERS, IT’S STILL…
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NORTHWEST
The Best of the Pacific Northwest!
Birds A
OF THE
Beach
re you ready for a walk on the beach? I am. It’s been too long since we took a walk with bare feet in the sand. It is so relaxing and you never know what you might spot. Maybe you will see sand dollars, shells or a special bird. You know me, I’m always looking for another bird.
The American Avocet enjoys the coast weather, making a new bird to add to your watch list when you go to the beach for some fun. photo by doug schurman
There are many colorful birds that frequent the beaches and are easily identifiable. One such bird is the black oystercatcher. He doesn’t actually run to catch them but does know how to find them quickly when the tides go out. Even before we see one we can hear its sharp wheep-wheep-wheep call. There it is with its long bright redorange bill and long flesh colored legs hurrying in and among the rocks; bobbing as it goes. The bill is quite unique and well fitted for finding food. It is long, hardened, flattened vertically and knife like. BIRDS—cont’d on page 2