Spotted Sandpiper, Arapahoe County

[Brian Johnson]

Today I went for a short walk at Centennial Park, I start at the far east end and survey the Platte River. There I meet Lynda who told me she saw a different looking shorebird. I saw it at the same time, pure white belly, dull brown above and a small faint eye ring. It was bobbing as it feed along the shoreline. I believed it to be a Solitary Sandpiper, but looking things over more I believe it's a Spotted Sandpiper, both are odd this time of year.

We saw the bird along the South Platte across from the Englewood Water treatment, downstream of the Union blvd overpass. It was bellow the spillway that is part of the water treatment plant. There is a parking lot next to the far eastern ball field in the park. From there just cross the Platte river trail, the spillway is right there.

Happy New year

Brian Johnson

Englewood CO