Subject: Jensen Access
Date: Aug 2 09:21:48 2001
From: Gary Bletsch - garybletsch at yahoo.com


Dear Tweeters,
Jensen Access was always a hit-or-miss place for
me, but I used to bird it faithfully during shorebird
migration. I would wear rubber boots and slog around
out there beyond the dike, if the shorebirding seemed
to merit the effort. Oftentimes I would see only a few
shorebirds; usually some Least Sandpipers could be
found close to the dike, and a few other shorebirds
would invariably make a quick flyby. It was one of
those spots like "Whitmarsh" on March's Point; you
just had to hit it a few dozen times to get a good day
there. Once in a while, the place was teeming with
shorebirds. One time I saw a couple of Red Knots
there; I also saw Northern Phalaropes there (or
whatever they are called now). At times, good numbers
of American Goldfinch can be seen there, too, as well
as swallow flocks worth examining. Jensen Access was
always my one fairly sure Baird's Sandpiper spot;
actually, I would park there and then walk the roads
to bird the fields, where Baird's would show up with
flocks of other shorebirds. Jensen was also one of the
best Short-billed Dowitcher spots in Skagit. Some
years there would be a big piece of driftwood out
there, and at high tide the shorebirds would sit on
it.
I wish I could visit those West 90 ponds people
have been mentioning, which I assume must be a bit
different from when I last visited. Samish Flats
always seemed a little different each year I birded
it--certain farms would have a nice puddle or wet spot
one year, and the next year it would be gone. It would
be nice if there were a spot out there where birders
could check for shorebirds without worrying about
where to park or where to stand; perhaps the West 90
will continue to serve.
As to Stilt Sandpiper spots, I have seen them on
the pond near Skagit City, but I do not recall having
seen one at Jensen. Still, another spot where I did
see that species a few times is somewhat like Jensen.
On the Skagit Flats, there is a dike, around the
corner from the liquor store, towards the nineties.
You could drive up onto the dike and look down into
the mouth of the Samish. Stilt Sandpipers used to show
up there. I am sure I must have seen the species
elsewhere in Skagit County, but danged if I can
remember where!
Yours truly,
Gary Bletsch


=====
Gary Bletsch
Yanbu International School
PO Box 30039
Yanbu al-Sinaiyah, Saudi Arabia
mail to: garybletsch at yahoo.com

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