I saw the previously reported Stilt Sandpiper late Sunday morning on the 
mud flats on the side of the bridge opposite the boat ramp (I believe it 
was previously seen on the other side of the bridge). I was pleased to 
discover it was a nice, fresh-plumaged, juvenile bird.  The juvenile 
Little Blue Heron was on the opposite side of the bridge briefly -- 
until it was flushed by a canoe and flew downstream.

I was in this area for the first time on August 1, 2009 after reading 
about it in the Birders' Guide to Montgomery County. At that time there 
were no mud flats AT ALL due to much higher water levels. I'm not sure 
if this is a result simply of natural variation or human intervention, 
but I expect the latter since there has been a fair amount of rain since 
then.  But just wanted to point out that the attractiveness of the area 
to shorebirds is variable.

Good birding!
Jim Moore
Rockville, Maryland

Fred Fallon wrote:
> Yesterday at ~ 2 pm I stopped at Brown's Bridge, recent site of the 
> Stilt Sandpiper. All the birds reported recently were present:
> Little Blue Heron imm (good for Ho Co)
> Great Egret
> Osprey (also rather good for county)
> Spotted S'piper 12
> Solitary S'piper
> Lesser Y-legs 2
> Killdeer 15
>
> - *except* Stilt S'piper, the target bird.
>
> I was w/o a scope and could have conceivably missed it; a scope is 
> recommended here despite the narrowness of the river. Neither side of 
> the bridge affords a particular advantage over the other. This is a 
> beautiful spot, full of promise, which I had never been to before in 
> all my wanderings. Thanks to the original poster for bringing it to 
> my, and everyone's, attention.
>
> Fred Fallon
> Huntingtown
>
>