I knew I had to go birding this afternoon after work because on the way home coming up Pine St. in Elma, I ran into a Ruffed Grouse and chick. It had to be a sign.

So I went I checked out the WDFW wetland that is 1.9 miles south of the town of Porter. It is drying up, but I think it will hold water for at least a few more weeks. I was excited to find a few shorebirds here. The best bird was a lone Semipalmated Sandpiper. It was more white than the Westerns present, thicker bill, dark cap, and no hint of rufous anywhere. The other shorebirds present included:

5 Greater Yellowlegs
3 Western Sandpipers
25 Least Sandpipers
1 Spotted Sandpiper
20 Killdeer

I will be checking this spot more often!

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



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