After my previous post today I stopped by the mudflats again around noon and, following my own tidal advice, found the Whimbrel much closer to shore - in the NE corner of the mudflats. I counted 21 and got fairly close to them along with a pleasant fellow that had read my previous post on tweeters. Soon the tide came up and off they went.

As of 3:30 today the Whimbrel continue in the same NE corner of the mudflats (the first and last area to be exposed in the basin mostly). With the tide just going out I had excellent close views of about 26 of the beauties. About the best views of them I've had in several decades! Does it seem a tad bit late for these birds to be around?

One of the benefits of self-employment is the ability to fire oneself at will. To see those wonderful Whimbrel I had to fire myself twice today, but now that I'm home I think I'll hire myself again.

By the way, the "maulsby mudflats" as they are known locally, are on West Marine View Drive just North of the 10th street boatlaunch (where the summer boat to Jetty Island leaves from). There are two pull-outs along the mudflat section of the Drive - the northern one is closest to where I saw Whimbel at the higher tide, but before saw them from the southern pull-out.

Jeff Gibson
watching mud in
Everett Wa