There's one place in Seattle that I have consistently found a lot of
snipes. Drive in as if you were going to the NOAA facility off Sand Point
Way (north of Magnuson Park). Watch for the first parking lot on your left
that will allow you access to Lake Washington. There is a small grassy
field between the parking lot and the water that sometimes has up to a
dozen snipes on it (also often Killdeers). They are devilishly hard to see,
and to see them before they flush I would advise standing in the parking
lot and scanning with binos or scope all over the grassy area. They're
often right near the water, even among the rocks that form the breakwater.
I've seen them land among the flock of Killdeers that often roosts right at
shore to the west of this spot. If you walk to the water you will often
flush numerous snipes that you didn't see (I've often thought they
materialized magically). In light of recent postings, let's have no more
than two groups per day visiting this spot; take a number.

Often lots of ducks and grebes to be seen from here.

Dennis Paulson phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416