Buff-breasted Sandpiper Sumas Flats

[Dave]

Rick Toochin found a Buff-breasted Sandpiper today! It was on the turf farm along Dixon Road near Campbell Road. There were at least 7 Killdeer
and 1 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper! The birds moved around the wet dirt and grassy area. They did fly a couple of times as people were working on the fields.

Across the road along Campbell Road about 1/2 km down from Dixon was another turf farm where the water was left on and that field had 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and many pipits!



Hope others get a chance to see. I have been very busy lately so couldn't get out there but I am itching to see this species since it has been 7 years since my last sighting.

[Chris]

Thanks Dave for passing along the sighting and photograph. Excellent record for the valley!

[Gord]

Fabulous. I believe this is the first record since 1899 for our checklist area. That's over 100 years in between documentation!

[Janne]

A buff-breasted sandpiper is a fabulous find. Sibley notes the sod farm habitat! Is that check list that dates back to 1899 available on line. I would love to have a copy.
Janne

[Chris]

Janne, you can view checklists here fraservalleybirding.com/Maps%20and%20Checklists/Seasonal%20Status.htm.

I was there this afternoon and I didn't see it. However, I was surprised by the amount of bird activity. Will share a report later tonight but definitely a location worth checking out. It's on the south side of Campbell Rd between Marion and Dixon. I parked on Marion and walked the road.