Hi everyone,
I was out birding this morning and checked out a patch of mud just south of Spangle. You can see it from Highway 195, but the best viewing is by taking the turn-off for Bradshaw Road and then head east to the stop sign on Old SR 195. Then head south until you see the nice muddy area on the west side of the road. I imagine this will dry up with the heat being on.
Ryan Merrill had found a Western Sandpiper here on July 4th. Today, at about 7:30am, there were 6 Killdeer, 1 Spotted Sandpiper, and one adult Semipalmated Sandpiper. The dark scalloping on its back was beautiful to view in the bright sunshine. No hint of rufous anywhere on the bird.
I also checked the small pond along Philleo Lake Road and found a Solitary Sandpiper and Greater Yellowlegs. This Solitary looked identical to the one that has been at the Jolly Rancher pond so I am assuming it is the same bird as the Jolly Rancher ponds are pretty much dried up.
Philleo Lake and Slavin Ranch are both still very full of water with no exposed mud. Aero Road pond is getting shallower each day and should hopefully have some good mud later this month.
Tim O'Brien
Cheney, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com