Yesterday morning, while walking, I was treated to approximately 50 COMMON
SNIPE stirred from nearby field of oat stubble. Crows sounded an alarm and
at first glance I dismissed the birds in tight formation, and 'wheeling'
about, as Starlings. Then, I took as second look, and discovered how wrong
first impressions can be! These were a shore bird. They were in 4
separate flocks, but had joined together, as they settled back into the
field. When I got into a position where I could look into that area, I
could make out exactly one (1) of these 50 birds. Yep, COMMON SNIPE. And
this area is covered with quite short grass growing up into the oat stubble!

John Allinger
Hockinson, Clark Co., Washington
Elevation: 500 feet / 160 meters
Latitude: _45_45_N
Longitude: _122_30_W
< jonymike at pacifier.com >