Tweeters,

Several ponds at Ridgefield NWR in Clark County were perfect for shorebirds
today. I visited the refuge this morning and this evening with the
following results:

Canvasback Lake (7:30am-8:15am/6:20pm-7-30pm)

Long-billed Dowitcher 25/4
Killdeer 30/30
Semipalmated Plover 3/1
Least Sandpiper 50/28
Western Sandpiper 1/-
Greater Yellowlegs 8/8
Wilson's Snipe 10/4
Lesser Yellowlegs -/2
*Great Egret 55/42 (much variation in bill color and length) *
*Great-Blue Heron 31/24*

S. Big Lake (7:30am-8:15am/6:20pm-7-30pm)

Long-billed Dowitcher 20/76
Killdeer 15/18
Least Sandpiper 125/100
Western Sandpiper 10/75
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER 2/6 (the most I've ever seen in one day at
Ridgefield)
Wilson's Snipe 8/2
Greater Yellowlegs 4/8
Lesser Yellowlegs -/2
PECTORAL SANDPIPER -/1 (seems quite early)

Thanks to a foraging Peregrine, flocks of shorebirds left South Big Lake
this morning before I had a chance to identify them all. The habitat in
both of these areas is excellent and I can easily imagine a good shorebird
showing up in either location at any time. It takes a bit of patience and a
good scope since there're plenty of places for shorebirds to hide.
Keep your eyes and ears skyward......and on the mud.
--
Jim Danzenbaker
Battle Ground, WA
360-723-0345
jdanzenbaker at gmail.com
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