I saw the curlew sandpiper. Following Connie's lead, I went out late. High tide was at 6:28 and I located it at 6:42, so check your tides. I left Olympia about 4:10 and got to Bottle Beach at 5:35 with no one else in sight. I walked to the right from the path and saw GW teal, BB plover, semipalmated plover and a bar-tailed godwit. Ruth and Patrick Sullivan showed up, but didn't stay too long and didn't look for the curlew sandpiper. After they departed I continued walking to the left of the path, since a group of semipalmated plovers was there. I located the sandpiper feeding right at the high water line. It wasn't a textbook picture, but was very close. When it flew the definitive white-rump totally convinced me. It and the plovers flew just to the right of the path. It ate and rested and walked. It is pretty approachable, but the plovers are a bit skiddish. You can get pretty close if you go slowly and walk near the tree/plant line of the beach. I got many photographs. This was a lifer for me. I don't know the status of this bird in WA, but I can't image it is seen frequently. Would appreciate knowing information about how often the curlew sandpiper is seen in WA. Good luck and good birding,

Valerie Elliott
Olympia, WA
VElliott at msn.com