I was birding along the Strait from Port Townsend to Salt Creek on
Saturday. At Ediz Hook, near the Coast Guard station, someone had put
down an inexpensive mix of bird seed, probably to attract sparrows.
The only sparrows feeding on it were House Sparrows. We were
fascinated to see a small flock (12-14) Sanderlings also eating the
seed. It demonstrates a generalist approach to feeding that one does
not necessarily think of with shorebirds, whose bills are designed
mostly to specialize in niches for their food. Perhaps Dennis Paulson
would be kind enough to comment on this and offer any further
information. Thanks.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds