Subject: 4 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in Grant/Adams Cos
Date: Oct 8 00:59:55 2002
From: Birdking88 at aol.com - Birdking88 at aol.com


Hey Tweeters,

My family graciously drove me over to eastern Washington Saturday
night. Our first stop on Sunday was at the County Line Ponds along Highway 26
west of Othello. No shorebirds, but several dozen SANDHILL CRANES were
soaring overhead and calling. Scott Downes and Michael Dossett pulled up at
exactly the same time we did -- small world! They informed us that 20 minutes
earlier they were observing all 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at the McCain
property. So we left them and headed directly there. As I anxiously walked up
the rise to look over the fence, I saw that there were quite a few birds
there. A quick pan with the scope and I instantly had 3 SHARP-TAILED
SANDPIPERS in one view. Nice way to get a life bird. Two of the birds are
very bright buff, almost peach in a certain light, with a distinct
rusty-colored cap. The other is not as bright, but the cap is still obvious.
Also present there were about a dozen LESSER YELLOWLEGS (seems like a large
number for so late in the season), about 6 GREATER YELLOWLEGS, many
LONG-BILLED DOWITCHERS, and about 15 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS.

Later in the day at Lind Coulee, several hundred Long-billed
Dowitchers, a few Pectoral Sandpipers, and yet another single juv.
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER.

We camped near Leavenworth on Monday night, and had a NORTHERN
PYGMY-OWL calling at sunrise near our campsite.

It was an excellent trip. Good birding.

Charlie Wright
Birdking88 at aol.com
Sumner, WA