The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was once again at the Yakima River Delta in
Richland.

When we went down there yesterday morning around 8 am, the water was high
with mud only around the edges of the water/reeds. We did not see the bird.
But evidently the water went down far enough so that later on Larry & Jacque
Goodhew were able to find it. They also saw what they described as a bird
that was "too big for a Dowitcher yet a bit small for a Godwit" with a
"large upturned beak that was pinkish at the base and dark at the tip."

We went to the delta again this morning with much the same results only the
water was down earlier. The Sharp-tailed was near other shorebirds west of
where we originally described it. There is a mud bar there where gulls like
to hang out. It seems to stay near other shorebirds but not flocking like
the nearby Dunlin. We did not see a godwit looking bird. PLEASE let us
know if you find one!!

There has also been a female/immature Red-breasted Merganser just west of
Bateman Island and for the past two days it has been with a group of Hooded
Mergs. An immature Peregrine Falcon was way out on the farthest mud bar.

Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland WA