Trip report by Tom Plath

Twenty-two participants enjoyed a somewhat hazy and cool evening studying shorebirds along the Boundary Bay dike between 104^th and 96^th Street. Initially the shorebirds were far out along the tide line however the rising tide pushed the birds in. Amongst the few hundred breeding and non-breeding plumaged Black-bellied Plovers were a few other wader species. A breeding plumaged Red Knot was wandering about the plovers but unfortunately was far and views poor, even with a scope. A couple of Sanderling was also observed but like the knot only distant views were had. Much better looks were had of a few Killdeer and small flock of Least Sandpipers close to the dike. Other shorebirds seen include a few Short-billed Dowitchers, thankfully calling to confirm identity, a few hundred Western Sandpipers scattered on the mudflats and two Lesser Yellowlegs at the pilings.

Non-shorebirds found include the three expected gull species here at this time of year – Glaucous-winged, California and Ring-billed, a Caspian Tern heading for a roost site and foraging Barn Swallows.