[cobirds] Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Morgan County

Today at 12:30 pm, Diana King and I found the previously reported Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the north shore of Jackson Reservoir, Jackson Lake SWA. It was at the same location described by Alan Bell, namely, foraging among killdeer on the north shore of Jackson Lake. It was just south of the eastmost SWA parking lot, which is accessed by driving entirely around the east shore of Jackson Lake to the north and proceeding west to a poorly marked left turn into a parking lot (as the road turns sharply due north turn left across a small bridge).  Although the bird was briefly on the shore amongst the many Killdeer and Baird's Sandpipers--it spent more time about 200 feet away from the shore about half way between the two parking lots in the grasses along with Killdeer and Horned Lark.  A scope was needed.  The definitive black eye on a clear, buffy face readily distinguished it from the Baird's Sandpiper, and the size smaller than the Killdeer distinguished it from the Yellowlegs on the shore.

There are two sticks sticking up on the shore near that spot.

The GPS location and map below make it easier to find:

Latitude: N40° 24' 9.8"
Longitude: W104° 04' 22.3"
Altitude: 4416'

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&z=16&ie=UTF8&q=40.40272+-104.07291

Michael King

Boulder