[Birdtalk] Solitary Sandpiper, etc - Lakefront

[Tim Avery]

This morning Dave Slager and I birded the Causeway, Garr Ranch and Farmington
Bay WMA.  The causeway seemed to be overwhelmed by phalarope in the morning,
but only a handful of Baird's Sandpiper and 2 Western were seen. We then headed
out to the ranch which, was hot, dry and bug infested!  After a short walk
around we headed back to the causeway.  Saw something I hadn't before.  Near
the last bridge was a large congregating flock of mostly RED-NECKED PHALAROPE. 
The flock which Dave guestimated was 70% Red-necked and 30% Wilson's was out in
"deeper" water and numbered in the 500-700 bird range.

http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/rnph_03.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/rnph_04.jpg

There were several small groups on the "deeper" water that seemed to be mostly
Red-necked as well.  Between MM 4 and 5 the majority of the Phalarope had moved
to the south side of the causeway and were bunching in groups of
25,000-50,000...  Also we were pleasantly surprised to see some peep movement
near the first bridge.  There were numerous Westenr Sandpiper and lost of
Baird's as well. I didn't do an exact count but something like 150 Western and
maybe a 100 Baird's seems right.

Next we headed to Glover Lane which was dead.  The new norhte entrance to
Farmington Bay appeared to be open.  It gives good looks at two areas of water
that were previously not viewable, and today didn't have much besides coots on
them.  At the main road into the marsh just after the houses we found a
SOLITARY SANDPIPER which was intially on the east side of the road but crossed
to the west while we were there.:

http://timaverybirding.com/photos/july07/sosa_01.jpg

Also in this area were the following:

13 Killdeer
8 Black-necked Stilt
6 American Avocet
5 Greater Yellowlegs
7 Lesser Yellowlegs
6 Wilson's Phalarope
17 Western Sandpiper
3 or 4 Least Sandpiper
Several White-faced Ibis and Western Kingbirds.

The pond at the right turn (the first turn coming in from the north) had
numerous yellowlegs and ibis on it as well.

Good Birding

Tim
Salt Lake City, UT
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com