Hello--

On separate occassions -- one on Saturday and one on Sunday -- my
sister and parents saw what they are convinced is a whimbrel. They
were able to get close, and study with binocs and field guides in
hand.

The bird has evidently been hanging around for at least the past 5-6
days, on the large front lawn of the Masonic Home in Des Moines (it's
a large retirement complex on Marine View Drive at 236th).

I have not had a chance to go see it and try to confirm their ID
(they are all fairly casual birders, but I trust their observational
skills).

I thought someone in the south end might want to go check it out. I
am going to try to stop by in the next couple of days to see if it's
still around.


Ken Steffenson
Milton and Seattle, WA
ksteffenson at watoxics.org