Subject: Pectoral Sandpipers at the Nisqually NWR
Date: May 12 19:32:06 2002
From: Ruth Sullivan - GODWIT at worldnet.att.net


Hello Tweets,

Skeptical from all the recent multiple Pectoral Sandpipers reported in
western WA this spring due to this species being rare in spring, my mother
and I ventured down to the Nisqually NWR this evening between 4:30pm-6pm
after reading Dave Hayden's Tweeters posting of 9+ Pectoral Sandpipers and
walking the entire McAllister Creek Trail starting from the parking lot and
walking to the northwest corner of the refuge and carefully scoping all the
exposed mudflat "bars" within the freshwater wetlands and pond(s). We were
excited to tally our first spring high count record of 18 Pectoral
Sandpipers, where 3 small seperate flocks were noted in the northwest corner
of the refuge foraging amongst a flock of 12 Long-billed Dowitchers. We also
noted a flock of 8 Long-billed Dowitchers along the west-east trail leading
to McAllister Creek. The Pectoral Sandpipers actively foraged amongst the
Long-billed Dowitcher with a few from a flock that flew off and gave their
distinctive low,somewhat rolling or undulating call note. Most of the birds
appeared to be in breeding plumage,as is expected at this time of year. It
does appear there is an "invasion" of this species noted throughout WA this
spring due to the relatively high numbers being observed of this normally
scarce spring migrant of usually single birds being observed. Other species
that were noted during our entire visit to the Nisqually NWR included:

1 Horned Grebe in full breeding plumage along the McAllister Creek trail
bathing and swimming in the freshwater portions south of the trail

4 Am.Bitterns(heard only)
1 Greater White-fronted Goose
1 Cackling"Canada Goose
4(2 pair)of Blue-winged Teal
15 Cinnamon Teal
2 female Hooded Mergansers
7 Virgina Rails(heard only)
14 Sora(heard only)
1 Solitary Sandpiper
12 Western Sandpipers
18 Least Sandpipers
7 Dunlin
20 Long-billed Dowitchers
1 Pileated Woodpecker heard calling from the McAllister Creek trail along
vegetated hillside west of McAllister Creek
8 Northern Rough-winged Swallows
10 Yellow Warblers
8 adult Golden-crowned Sparrows


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
GODWIT at worldnet.att.net