Dear Thais--thanks for update about the goose at Kent ponds. Carol Schulz
sent me a note with a telephone number for Matt Knox so I could ask about
appointments for a "drive-around" the dikes for those of us who can't walk
very far (the towers seem to be about 1/4 mile from the parking areas).

Saturday was RAINY!! but we still managed to find Trumpeter Swans (Elma),
Marbled Godwits, Black-bellied Plovers, and Willets at the Tokeland
Marina--there, also,we agonized over a small peep: black bill, no
superciliary, streaking on the flanks, black legs, partial webbing in the
toes, short primary projection. It was working along the shore with a nearby
Semi-palmated Plover. Betty (looking through scope) called out the field
marks which I recorded in my log. When we returned home, we all looked at our
various references and decided it was a Western Sandpiper ( oh, woe--not a
stint!) The question that arises in my mind is: why was it alone and not
with friends? Any comments? Regards,Murray