Garfield County today was not exactly swarming with shorebirds, but a pair of Red-necked Phalaropes were a pleasant surprise. They were swimming and flying around the mouth of Deadman Creek at Central Ferry first thing this morning. Before dawn, Western Screech-Owls, Barn Owls and a Great Horned Owl were all active --- A Black-crowned Night-Heron was also along the shoreline at dawn.

The only other shorebirds I could find for the day were Spotted Sandpipers and Killdeer. The large # of swimmers at Illia Dunes probably kept opportunity down there. There is a bit of mud at Hastings Hill [where the shorebirds came in last year -- just after where the pavement ends].

Matt Bartels
Seattle, WA