Between 5:30-6:00pm today, I watched two Wilson's Phalaropes from Foster Rd. just north of its intersection with Brady Loop Rd.. They both were actively wading around the remaining water in the corn stubble field that lies west of Foster Rd.. Being that this bird is a lifer for me, I don't have any experience with the different plumages. Field marks that I noted were the black stripe running from the bill through the eye and down the neck, orange colored breast, pale underside, and chestnut color at the base of the black stripe and on the back of one. Looking at the field guides I would suspect one is a breeding plumaged female. The other wasn't as striking as the female, so I'm guessing it may be a dull male. Also, at the same pond were at least 2 Spotted Sandpipers, 3 Semipalmated Plovers, and one mystery shorebird that I caught a quick glimpse of and couldn't find again. First thought on the mystery bird was a possible Solitary, but that's just a guess from my quick
glimpse.

Good birding,

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo.com


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