Today I took Tony Baker, my Birdingpal from Scotland, out to look for
some of his target birds. At Jensen Access on Fir Island, we ran into
Marv Breece, who pointed out the lingering PECTORAL SANDPIPER flock,
still including 1 SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER, in the field in front of the
dike. Thanks, Marv! Also present in the field was a distant flock of
golden-plovers, some of which we couldn't quite identify down to
species, but there were at least 1 PACIFIC and 2 AMERICAN GOLDEN-PLOVERS
and we felt certain of. There was also one chunky, odd-looking
golden-plover in the flock that had a small, pale bill with a dark tip.
I hope Marv's photos of this bird turned out.

Tony and I continued to the Hayton Reserve, where there was a nice flock
of SNOW GEESE. Also in the flock were about 18 CACKLING GEESE, 1
juvenile WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, and, most surprising, 7 BLUE GEESE, 6
juveniles and one beautiful adult. They formed their own tight little
group within the larger flock. I have never seen so many Blue Geese in
one spot.

If you think you might enjoy taking visiting birders out in the field,
or would like to find someone to do that for you on your own travels,
check out Birdingpals. It's fun!

http://www.birdingpal.org/

Rachel Lawson
Seattle
rachelwl at msn.com