FIRST TWO RECORDS OF THE GREAT KNOT (CALIDRIS TENUIROSTRIS) FOR WASHINGTON

Abstract

We document the first two records of the Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris) for Washington, which also represent the second and third records of the species during spring migration in the Pacific Americas Flyway south of Alaska. The first Great Knot, which was in breeding plumage, was observed 15–20 May 2024, the second, in basic plumage, 12–18 May 2026. Both were at Willapa Bay: the one in 2024 was seen initially south of the mouth of North River Cove and subsequently at Ellen Sands, a high-tide roost site. The one in 2026 was observed at Ellen Sands on four dates. It is likely that the two Great Knots overwintered in northwestern Mexico and migrated northward with Red Knots (C. canutus).