Death AND Life

Three Crabs Beach is a great spot for
Sue and Lee to see coastal birds

Port William beach provides a neat
vantage for Sandy and Bill
to take in Mt. Baker

Sue and Lee often peer into the many
 marshes along Three Crabs to check for
 birds like this Green-Winged Teal

Bill and Sandy regularly see Bald Eagles like the
one we saw today at Port William

Visiting with four coasters in the Sequim (pronounced sqwim) area of Washington today, I was reminded that although COASST is designed to monitor dead sea birds, volunteers enjoy the live ones as well! Traveling to the eastern end of the Strait of Juan de Fuca (just a skip across the water from Victoria, B.C.) I walked COASST beaches 3 Crabs (with Sue & Lee ) and Port William S (with Sandy & Bill). No dead birds at either but that didn’t bother these four veteran COASSTers at all. The opportunity to get out and see those birds among the living is a big perk that comes from regular COASST participation. Having local experts (these folks know their birds!) keep a diligent watch on the types, amount, and seasonal variation among living bird populations is of great advantage. It’s a good thing these ‘boots on the ground’ keep a watchful eye on the many birds on the wing! Special thanks to Bill and Sandy for treating me to a delicious lunch following our walk.