Location Location Location

Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Semiplamated Plovers are very common birds seen in migration both spring and fall on the Washington coast, often seen in flocks of dozens to even hundreds of birds. In the south Puget Sound area, less than 100 miles away as the crow flies, they are difficult to find. This bird was my Pierce County first-of-the-year Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Long-billed Dowichers Limnodromus scolopaceus

I had not planned on birding much today, but got going early, and so stopped at Levee Pond on the way to church. There were 10 Long-billed Dowichers there, along with the same number of Killdeer Charadrius vociferus (you have to love the scientific name of this very loud bird) and a Great-blue Heron **, Canada Geese, Pied-billed Greves, and mallards.

I did a few errands and had planned on an easy day at home, until I got the message from Michael Charest to the Pierce County birder text-group that he had a Semipalmated Plover at the Gull-bathing spot on the Puyallup River, a place only about a mile from my home. I dashed over, met Scott Saunders there, and we managed to find the SEPL about half way from the parking entrance to the 11th Street bridge.

Mallard female. They can be pretty nondescript especially at this time of year as they are in molt.

This brings me to 210 Pierce County species for 2018, at this point on track for my highest county list ever.

Good birding. Steem on! Be sure to follow @birdersofsteem where birders can find and support each other.