I hope this is not too far off topic, but does anyone know if there exists a
useful online compilation of bird frequency for the UK and Western Europe?
 (Something similar to the Yellow Book for MD).  My investigations haven't
turned up anything very promising, and Ebird doesn't seem to have built up
enough observations to be useful in that area.

On another topic, I have been curious about Western Sandpiper plumage for
our area and this time of year.  Several field guides I have looked at state
that Western Sandpipers will molt sooner than Semipalmated Sandpipers, which
are said to not grow into winter plumage until after migration.  Does that
mean that if a uniform grey adult winter-plumaged Western/Semi-sand is seen
in our area in fall it is most likely a Western?  Can molt timing be used to
make this ID?

-Wayne Baumgartner
  Washington, DC