Hello Tweets,

Today my mother and I ventured over to Wapato in Yakima Co.,mainly to
purchase some local tomatoes as in past years,which we did obtain this
year,but at a different farm than in past years. We were able to check the
water levels of Wenas Lake for migrating shorebirds upon our return from
Wapato between 2:30pm-3:15pm,eventhough we had not been there this early in
the fall. Our search for shorebirds in particular is noted because this may
be one of the remaining best shorebird locations that still exist in Yakima
Co.(in addition to possibly a few other less accessible area in Yakima
Co.),mainly in fall migration when water levels are the most appropriate
with ample exposed mudflats.We normnally have visited Wenas Lake in late
August to early October,when in past years we have found decent numbers and
diversity of shorebirds for the location.We did not expect to have any
shorebirds due to the unknown water levels,but upon visiting the lake from
the eastshore along Wenas Rd. we noticed some exposed shoreline with a
closer search showing even more ample mudflats along the west shore of the
lake and the mouth of Wenas Creek,which also empties into the lake from the
west shore. We drove down to the public boat launch area and immediately
observed a small flock of "peeps" amongst the agitated Killdeers along the
edge of the lakeshore,as they were soon appoached more closely to reveal the
exact species of which we encountered a total 8 species of shorebirds during
our 45 minute visit to this location. Soon after leaving our vehicle and
walking along the upper exposed drying mudflats of the westshore of the lake
we located up to 5 species of shorebirds,including 4 juvenile SEMIPALMATED
SANDPIPERS and 3 juvenile BAIRD'S SANDPIPERS in one flock,then a quick walk
along the lakeshore north of the boat launch revealed a few additional
numbers of "peeps",and a final walk along the immediate Wenas Creek as it
empties into the lake and to upstream areas revealed 4 juvenile Solitary
Sandpipers,with one bird remaining and being approached very closely as it
foraged in the creek. This was our personal highest count of Semipalmated
Sandpipers in Yakima Co.,and our first for this location. It is expected
that this location may produce additional species and numbers of shorebirds
through fall into October,as water levels decrease even more and additional
searching is made by other birders. A list of our main highlights for Wenas
Lake durring our visit included:

3 immature Double-crested Cormorants
4 Blue-winged Teal
1 Osprey
4 Solitary Sandpipers
6 Spotted Sandpipers
4 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPERS
3 Western Sandpipers
14 Least Sandpipers
3 Baird's Sandpipers
3 Common Snipe
8+ Northern Rough-winged Swallows
13+ Bank Swallows

A dark-morph Swainson's Hawk was observed atop a telephone pole along
Fletcher Lane east of Wenas Lake upon our return to Naches on our way home.


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net