Ruff Seekers: The Easton Wastewater Treatment Facility continued to host the Ruff as of 10:00 this morning. Several storms during the night brought a total of 2 and 1/2 inches of rain to the area, so the rapidly drying pools of a few days ago have now been restored to a full pond at least a couple of inches deep. Several small high spots are present for the birds, along with suitable regions around the edges. Besides the Ruff, this mornings sightings included both Yellowlegs, Pectoral, Least, Western, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, and one lone Short-billed Dowitcher. Also on facility grounds in one of the lower evaporation fields there were at least 40 Bobolinks, with many of the males still showing lots of their most colorful plumage. The facility is normally closed on weekends, but as Sue indicated in an earlier posting, the facility staff is going out of their way to be accommodating for the interests of visiting birders. Normal weekday hours have the gate open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but if you expect to be on the grounds later than that, just tell them when you sign in, and they will leave the gate open so you can get out - as long as you are willing to lock it as you leave. In view of the special interest in the Ruff, this weekend the staff has offered to open the gate if birders request them to do so. Both workers live within 10 - 20 minutes of the place. Sue posted their email address. This morning they also gave me the following phone numbers to use to arrange your visit, (and specifically authorized that I could post the numbers): Pete Welty 410 819-9046 (mobile phone) Mollie Faulkner 410 819-9060 (mobile phone) Easton Utilities WWTF 410 822-5725 (normal working hours phone) The Talbot County Chapter of MOS often visits this site on their regularly scheduled bird walks - usually once in the spring and once during the fall schedule. Splendid cooperation of the staff has been provided for these visits also. Les Roslund Lroslund@bluecrab.org Easton, MD