The Western Dip - 19 Jun 2026
I took a drive this morning to Erie Marsh Preserve to walk, but also to look for a Western Sandpiper that has been lingering for a couple of days. I arrived at 7:30 am under clear skies and cool (60ºF), breezy conditions. I headed out onto the dike and caught up w/ the "Greats" Linda Ar and Vikki Jones who reported the Western Sandpiper in Pond 2. They were scoping 6 Sandhill Cranes in the field to the southeast, and rather than doubling back I decided I'd look for it on the way back from walking out to the Sulfur Pond (big mistake). I continued walking and took the grassy dike along Ponds 3 - 4 and found a half-dozen Dunlin and a couple of Semipalmated Sandpipers but nothing else of interest. The Sandhill Cranes made a couple of fly-by's and even provided a photo or two. I walked out to Fields D and E and started making my way back with the Sun at my back. I found Linda and Vikki scoping Field B and they put me onto a Greater Yellowlegs and a gorgeous female Wils...
