Dear Tweeters,

After the Wood Sandpiper of last weekend, it seemed only fair to try for Solitary Sandpiper, so I visited the Game Range today (8-09-2011).

In the wetland right by the boat-launch parking area was a Tringine extravaganza. One log had six Greater Yellowlegs, four Lesser Yellowlegs, and two Spotted Sandpipers on it. Another log floating nearby had a Solitary Sandpiper sitting on it! Meanwhile, a bossy little Red-necked Phalarope was flying around, chasing some of the tringines! That was the first phalarope I'd seen here--I always seem to miss them at this locale.

Even at high tide, there were shorebirds out on the four new ponds. One or possibly two Short-billed Dowitchers roosted on a log with a Greater Yellowlegs. Flocks of Least and Western Sandpipers were flying around. A Semipalmated Plover flew over and called.

I was able to find four species of warblers out there this afternoon. Lots of Yellow Warblers were about. A female MacGillivray's Warbler was my first ever at the Game Range. A couple of Common Yellowthroats called, and an Orange-crowned Warbler foraged with a Yellow Warbler flock.

Two British birders spotted a Great Horned Owl in the trees near the new rest rooms. It had been a while since I'd seen one of these owls here.

A nice day of birding concluded when I got home. My first Killdeer of the day made for ten species of shorebirds, and then three Common Nighthawks flew down valley, possibly my last of the year. Adieux, short timers!

Yours truly,


Gary Bletsch?

Near Lyman, Washington (Skagit County), USA?garybletsch at yahoo.com?Mentre che li occhi per la fronda verde
ficcava ?o s? come far suole
chi dietro a li uccellin sua vita perde, lo pi? che padre mi dicea: ?Figliuole,
vienne oramai, ch? ?l tempo che n?? imposto
pi? utilmente compartir si vuole?.??