tweets,

With all this discussion on shorebirds and habitats I was inspired to
get off the rock and take a look for myself. Went to the west 90 and
found a few birds.

First pond near the parking area had two red-necked phalaropes feeding.
Walked through the grain fields, I tried to stay on vehicle tracks, west
to a large pond that was empty of birds. The fields reeked of chemical
treatment: I would guess herbicide. Continuing west I came upon the
largest pond and saw a flock of 25 short-billed dowitchers, 2 Wilson's
phalaropes and a pectoral sandpiper.

A Caspian tern called as it flew north over the eastern edge of Padilla
Bay. Northern harriers cruised the fields. Cliff, barn and northern
rough-winged swallows coursed over the ponds.

I want to thank Atkinson, Bletsch, Mlodinow, Paulson, the Sullivans, and
Weber for the postings on shorebirds and habitat. It has been a
particularly good series.

Only one 'm' in Samish.

Paul Moorehead
Guemes, Wa