Hi Tweeters,

I had heard tell at the Sunday Kent Ponds census that Long-billed Dowitchers were in the neighborhood of the 212th mitagation ponds. (at the base of the hill after Orillia from I-5 makes a bend into 212th, on the south side of the road is a small pullout.) I did get to see them yesterday morning at the pond but not enough time for me to scope them.

Tonight I stopped at the new Thomas pond by the new UHual center off of whatever street 272nd turns into after dropping into the valley off of I-5. (those street numbers elude me). It is on the south side just past 167 on Frontage Road.

What a difference a week makes. I checked these ponds last week early and the only shorebirds were Spotted Sandpiper and Killdeer. Really the only notable that day besides 3 Green Heron was a Green-winged Teal drake going into eclipse. Still 3 Green Heron tonight after work, with some interaction with crows. No teal today but many Long-billed Dowitchers (~20), almost all of them were very red and some really did have the long bill. One Greater Yellowlegs, one Lesser. Both called and the Lesser did a long call. Usually for me the Lessers are a lot quieter, not today. About 3 Least Sandpipers, Spotted Sandpipers and many Killdeer. A lot of the vegetation has grown and who knows what may be lurking here. I thought I saw a Solitary Sandpiper but it was very uncooperative in giving me good views,

Kathy
Roosting in Kent, near Lake Meridian
(chukarbird at yahoo dot com)
Any driving directions contained within this message are given as a courtesy, beware, author is directionally challenged and will not vouch for them.