I went to do some birding at the Ellensburg KOA pond this afternoon and had a few highlights to report. The main highlights were the amount of Snipe present and a flyover of an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER.

On the snipe I counted 96 birds, even recounted twice to be sure, certainly alot of snipe!

On the Golden-plover, while birding the site and counting the snipe heard the distinctive call of an AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVER and looked up to get a brief look at it. The bird flew towards the west and out of site over the trees. I'm aware just how rare this is, in fact according to the Washington Birder checklist its a first county sighting. Based on the call I'm very certain of the sighting as I've had extensive expereince with American and Pacific calls.

Other notables at the site:
20-25 American pipit
1 Female Wood Duck
1 Greater Yellowlegs
25-30 Killdeer

Good Birding all.

Scott Downes
downess at cwu.edu
Ellensburg WA