Yesterday afternoon, I spent a little time checking locations for possible shorebirds. I started with Dunlap Rd. which is south of Elma off of Highway 12. There were two Greater Yellowlegs present and a small flock of peeps that disappeared quite quickly. The habitat seems good for shorebirds here, but while I was looking there were two tractors in a nearby field plowing the earth which could have scared some birds away.

The next best stop was on the eastern portion of Brady Loop Rd. near Willis Rd.. Looking to the east from the road at one of the small areas of water that is left there were about 30 Western Sandpipers present. Also, amidst the Westerns was one single, larger shorebird about the size of a Dunlin. I couldn't figure this one out partly due to the distance and the constant winds. Overall, it was brownish in coloration so maybe it was a non-breeding plumaged Dunlin. It was foraging right along with the Westerns. Perhaps I'll get better looks today. In a freshly plowed field further to the east, there was a nice sized group of Whimbrel working the field. The distance was far, but I would estimate close to 50 Whimbrel were present.

Good birding!

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



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