[EBB Sightings] Hayward Regional Shoreline; Red Knots

Hi all:

Inspired by Bruce Mast's and Bob Richmond's reports of
Red Knots, I walked out to Frank's Dump this
afternoon.  What a treat!  A conservative estimate
(very) would be 250 Red Knots ground roosting in the
middle of the mudflat/pond that is known as Frank's
Dump.
This area of Hayward Regional Shoreline can be
accessed at the end of Winton Rd. west from Hwy. 880
in Hayward.  For directions, a park map, and other
good info:
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward.htm#Map

I generally park right outside the staging area in a
gravel parking strip adjacent to a trail that heads
due west to Hayward's Landing.  To reach Frank's Dump,
turn north when you reach the Bay Trail and continue
for 1/2 mile.  Frank's Dump is the large wetland on
the right (east).  

There were 100's of Black-bellied Plover in various
plumagination, Willets, Marbled Godwits, Short-billed
Dowitchers (both species of Dowitcher may have been
present; I thought the lion's share were
short-billed), a smattering of Semi-palmated Plovers,
three Ruddy Turnstones (one in stunning breeding
plumage), 3 Least Terns, and two Forster's Terns.

The main pond to the south of the staging area on the
east side of the trail had a concentration of birds in
the north west corner.  There were 48 breeding plumage
Ruddy Ducks (I may have over-used the word stunning;
let's say, they were shockingly handsome), and 3
non-breading Eared Grebes.

Good birding,
Bob Power
Oakland, CA