[EBB Sightings] Spotted Sandpiper

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During a trip around Lake Cascade (at Orinda Country Club) today, I saw  what 
I am quite certain was a solitary Spotted Sandpiper in winter  plumage.  The 
bird was feeding in the mudflat at the far end of the Lake  away from the 
clubhouse.   It had the typical bobbing motion as it  walked, with a white breast 
(no spots) and the distinguishing white wedge in  front up onto the shoulder.  
Slightly downturned dull orangish bill.   Twice it flew short distances and I 
could see the white in the wing.  It  also flew close to the ground just as 
described by Sibley--in short bursts  of stiff shallow wing beats.  I watched 
the bird for 20 minutes or  so.  It was still there when I left.   I've been 
around Lake  Cascade many times and never seen this bird there.
 
Other water birds seen include:
 
20 plus Double-crested Cormorants
20 plus Ring-necked Ducks
20 plus Buffleheads
20 plus Ruddy Ducks
15-20 Common Mergansers (4 males)
2 Canvasback Ducks
2 female Hooded Mergansers
Mallards galore
Snowy Egret
Numerous Domestic and Graylag Geese
Swan Goose
Ring-billed Gulls
 
Jim

Jim Roethe
(925)  254-2190
jimroethe at aol.com

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Arial"=20
bottomMargin=3D7 leftMargin=3D7 topMargin=3D7 rightMargin=3D7>
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what I am quite certain was a solitary Spotted Sandpiper in winter=20
plumage.  The bird was feeding in the mudflat at the far end of the Lak=
e=20
away from the clubhouse.   It had the typical bobbing motion as it=
=20
walked, with a white breast (no spots) and the distinguishing white wedge in=
=20
front up onto the shoulder.  Slightly downturned dull orangish bill.&nb=
sp;=20
Twice it flew short distances and I could see the white in the wing.  I=
t=20
also flew close to the ground just as described by Sibley--in short bur=
sts=20
of stiff shallow wing beats.  I watched the bird for 20 minutes or=20
so.  It was still there when I left.   I've been around Lake=20
Cascade many times and never seen this bird there.
PTSIZE=3D"18">Jim

Jim Roethe
(925)=20
254-2190
jimroethe at aol.com

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