727333

Semipalmated Sandpipers identified by (1) clear white supercilium; (2) distinctive brown cap; (3) side of face brownish; (4) clear white underside except for light brown dusting across upper breast, not distinctively spotted or streaked; (5) upperside uniform brown with white feather edges, no rufous above except for tertials; (6) bill noticeably smaller than accompanying western sandpipers, although the bill of one individual was a bit longer and curved slightly downward, otherwise looked identical to the other; (7) size comparison with western sandpipers; (8) fed in shallow water, sometimes together and separated from westerns.--***--Most Gadwalls and Shovelers were young, accompanied by several adults.--***--Few young American Avocets remain, but could have been in the vegetation. On a previous visit last week, a Red Fox was seen walking along the reservoir edge, probably left because of my presence.

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana