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CURLEW SANDPIPER - Maybe?!?!?!

Here is the skinny on the CUSA.  About 20 or so birders were scouring 
the rocks between the first bridge and the large pile about a 1/2 mile 
west of the bridge looking for the bird.  Around 10:00 am most people 
dispersed to go to the Ranch or check for other birds.  Lu Giddings 
remained scanning each incoming and leaving flock of birds.  I was 
scanning a flock of peeps at the area a 1/2 mile west of the bridge, 
when I noticed a larger bird off and to the rear of the group.  I 
started to focus on the bird, as it stretched its wings, showing a white 
stripe on the wings and a white rump.  However, the bird immediately 
flew with the other 50 or so birds that took off.  AS the birds flew 
this individual remained a little above the group, with a different wing 
beat than thegroup of mostly Baird's Sandpiper, and 2 Pectoral 
Sandpiper.

I cannot say for sure this was the bird, but only 2 possibilities are 
possible.  Either this was the CUSA, or another rarity, the White-rumped 
Sandpiper.  Again, I didn't get a good enough look at the bill to make 
the call. It's one of those 50/50 things.  Several hardy birders stuck 
around till about 3:45 scanning flocks before leaving.  Also seen along 
the causeway:

1 American Golden-Plover
46 Black-bellied Plover
4 Pectoral Sandpiper
5 Least Sandpiper
1 Semipalmated Sandpiper
11 Snowy Plover
2 Semipalmated Plover
100's Baird's Sandpiper
100's Western Sandpiper
Willet
American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt
Long-billed Curlew
Spotted Sandpiper
Wilson's Phalarope
Red-necked Phalarope
 (possible WHIMBREL, I have some interesting images)
Prairie Falcon
Northern Shoveler
Gadwall
American White Pelican
Snowy Egret
Double-crested Cormorant
White-faced Ibis
California Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Franklin's Gull
Western Meadowlark
Lark Sparrow
House Sparrow
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Tree Swallow
etc, etc, etc.....

Shorebird numbers were back up today, in comparison to yesterday 
morning, and many birds were in closer on the northside between MM 4-5. 
Well I will keep heading back probably every otehr day this week, as new 
shorebirds are arriving daily, who knows what else could show up in an 
overnight turn over...

Good Birding

Tim
http://www.timaverybirding.com
Salt Lake City, UT or Wherever the Birds Take Me!
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