The Weekday Warblers birdathon team made its inaugural trip on May 12. We birded the north coast from Cannon Beach to Fort Stevens, with a stop at the Sunset Rest Stop on the way. We did well with seabirds and shorebirds, but were sorely lacking in upland species. A few tweaks to the route and a longer day would probably get us a bigger list, but we had a great time with great weather and ended the day with 80 species.
This is one of a couple of Common Ravens who were hanging out in the parking lot of the Sunset Rest Area.
One of many Whimbrels seen on the beach
This flock of Bonaparte’s Gulls was flying around the South Jetty at Fort Stevens.
a distant Roosevelt Elk at Fort Stevens
We made two quick stops at The Cove in Seaside. Most of the few birds that were there were quite a ways out, requiring lots of squinting through a scope, but this White-winged Scoter came close to shore for some nice views.
The best find of the day was the large shorebird flock on the beach at Fort Stevens. The Oregon Coast does not usually get huge numbers of migrant shorebirds. Birders joke about he Shorebird Dome that covers the coast, forcing birds to fly directly from northern California to Gray’s Harbor, Washington. But this past week the dome was breached and good numbers and diversity of shorebirds worked the beaches of the north coast. We found these birds mid-afternoon, so the sun was already in the west causing terrible lighting for photos. But this will give you an idea. The photo above shows a Western Sandpiper with two Dunlin.
Sanderling
Ruddy Turnstone with Western Sandpiper
Red Knot, a rare treat along the Oregon coast
a nice combo of Dunlin, Red Knot, Western Sandpiper, and Ruddy Turnstone
Boat for Sale. Needs work .
A great day on the Oregon coast.
Ethical Birder 
You all were indeed lucky with shorebirds; I’ve still never seen a redknot in Oregon! I was in Ocean Shores and Oyehut, WA the day before you all and even at low tide there were not the usual numbers. Most were on the actual pacific coast side but nothing at all out on the mudflats where I usually get something exciting, like marbled godwits. But this explains it, they were at fort Stevens! I did get a group of five whimbrels, so yay. There were large numbers at Bowerman Basin, but so far out in bright sun, you definitely needed a scope. Happy birdathon!