Tweeters,

Among the more noteworthy sightings on the Olympia Christmas Bird
Count were two Willets observed flying out of the south end of Eld
Inlet west of Olympia (a place known endearingly as "Mud Bay",
probably once known as "Squaw Bay" but I am not totally sure about
this). The sighting sounded pretty definitive with good detail provided
but there was a comment indicating 90% certainty which is pretty
good but it isn't 100%, the level that is best for including something
in bird count results.

I drove to Mud Bay yesterday and scanned the mud flats looking at
Dunlin, Black-bellied Plovers, and Lesser and Greater Yellowlegs.
After scanning south of the Hwy 101 bridge, I crossed under the bridge
and started scanning the area inbetween west-bound and east-bound lanes.
Soon, I had a Willet in my scope. I watched this single Willet for
about an hour, eventually watching it make a short flight which
allowed me to see the white in the wings.

I gather that Willets are not too common in these parts in winter.

Any others seen during CBC's in our area?

Kelly McAllister