Folks, what a fabulous late summer for shorebirds in this area. I just
returned from a quick walk down to the Marina; the light was so magical.
Near the sign inside the jetty that gives directions to fuel and moorage
plus a statement about restricted access to the Yacht Club, I could see a
smallish shorebird on the top of the jetty, bigger than a peep and smaller
than a Killdeer, but with a brownish-reddish back, quite dark on upper
breast, and whitish underneath. The light was fading, and the blessed
little plover-like bird flew a bit out over the water near the gas pumps
and up toward the 'exclusive' moorage, then right back to its same perch.
It gave me a full vertical view of its back, spread wings and tail.......
striking harlequin-like pattern, a RUDDY TURNSTONE! This is a first
listing of this species for my 5.5 year monitoring of the Marina.

Thais or Jim Flynn or anyone else with older records of the Des Moines
Marina: When have Ruddy turnstones been seen here in the past?

YAHOO and cheers,
Maureen Ellis me2 at u.washington.edu Univ of WA and Des Moines, WA

"Finding the occasional straw of truth awash in a great ocean of
confusion and bamboozle requires vigilance, dedication, and courage."
-Carl Sagan-