I went back out this afternoon and checked on the Barnacles on the west end of Wenzel Slough Rd.. They are still there and there were a few other birders around taking pictures and getting good looks at these birds. I then moved on while the rain poured down and went to the Brady Loop area.

I was on the eastern side of the loop just north of Willis St. scanning the big flock of Canada/Cackling Geese when a lone Whimbrel dropped into the field right in front of the geese. I scanned other areas for more Whimbrel, but didn't locate any. Black-bellied Plovers and a few Dunlin are present on the eastern side of the loop and the south end of Foster Rd.. Greater Yellowlegs are the dominant shorebird number-wise right now. They seem to be everywhere.

On the way back to Elma, I made another stop at the west end of Wenzel Slough Rd. and watched the geese flock including the Barnacles get spooked up in the air. The Barnacles landed more to the south of where they were this morning, but still in good view. Also, at this location Greater Yellowlegs seemed to be flying from the east somewhere in spurts of 10-20 birds. I did locate one yellowlegs that seemed right for a Lesser, but it took off flying before I could really confirm. Also, I noticed a couple dowitchers that quickly disappeared that had a reddish-tone to them. My gut says Short-billed, but one can only guess at this point.

With all the water left in the fields, this spring migration should be a spectacle to be seen in between Elma and Brady this spring. Bring them on!

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



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