Helen Patton and I had a single BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER in with multiple
Killdeer at about 11 a.m. today, September 2, on sod fields of the Patton
(no relation) turf farm in Western Montgomery County.  This farm's fields
can be seen from a public, gravel road that runs south for several miles
from where the C&O Canal crosses White's Ferry Road, a few miles west of
Poolesville, MD.

The birds scattered when a farm vehicle equipped with a liquid sprayer
traversed that part of the field.  We refound them, but they were in a deep
depression and the Buff-breast could not be located.  One or maybe two
Semipalmated Sandpipers were in the flock.

If you go out there, please park carefully and do not block the
road.  There is little traffic, but large trucks equipped to carry cut sod
travel fast and give no quarter.

Mike Bowen
Bethesda, MD

D. H. Michael Bowen (Mike)
8609 Ewing Drive
Bethesda MD 20817-3845
Tel/Fax: (301) 530-5764
e-mail: