Tweeters,

Friday I found myself with a less than compelling reason to drive to
Edmonton so I called the Calgary hotline (403 221 4519) to see if I
could find a second. The Thursday recording said that on the Langdon
Reservoir there had just been spotted a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, a Ruff,
and a (stop the presses) Curlew Sandpiper.

Physical access to this large, (1000 + acres?) shallow, Ducks Unlimited
project is primitive and severe. I found it difficult to ID anything.
You might need a wet suit as well as your scope. It's not like the
needle in the haystack because you can get to the haystack. It's like
looking for a small bird on a very distant mud flat. There were few in
the hunt Sunday AM but talked to one local who said the Curlew Sandpiper
when seen was by itself, or associating more with Dowitchers than
Pectorals.

If the bird is found again, and you want to put yourself through it, the
Reservoir is only 30 traffic free minutes from the Calgary Airport. If
you push it real hard it can be driven from Seattle in 12-13 hours. I
believe your chances for success are very limited but the scenery and
foliage on the cottonwoods and Aspens is spectacular.

Larry Schwitters
Issaquah