Today about 11 AM there was a single White-rumped and Semipalmated 
Sandpiper and also a Dunlin at the Patton Turf Farm in the large puddle 
opposite the last set of turf fields heading south on River Rd.

The White-rumped was a county bird for me and his been somewhat of a 
nemesis. I missed the 3 White-rumps that showed up at the polo grounds 
on the heels of a tropical storm in Sept 2006. Rob Hilton and I tried 
yesterday afternoon at Summit Hall for the White-rumped and 2 
Sanderlings reported by Dave Czaplak w/o success. Although we thought we 
saw the White-rumped, neither of us could make the call with complete 
certainty. Today's bird was handed to me on an "ID platter."

It was only about 30 feet from the road and I had my scope. It stood 
right next to the Semipalmated SP allowing for a great size comparison 
and I could clearly make out the long primary tips, streaking along the 
breast, and the lighter color at the base of the lower mandible.

It was a good feeling to get a county bird today after striking out 
yesterday on the Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Ruddy Turnstone, 
Sanderlings and White-rumped SP and a few week's back, the Bicknell's 
Thrush in Rockville. For you MD birders who live closer to the shore, 
where these birds are much more common, please forgive me my obsession 
with inland shorebirds.

Andy Martin
Gaithersburg