I had a similar experience to Jim's earlier in the afternoon.  The bird 
also flew over to a rock about 15 feet of me, whereupon we each had 
close looks at each other.  Eric's good eye and speedy posting was much 
appreciated!

Ian
==========================

On 12/8/2011 7:53 PM, Jim Mead wrote:
> Great find Eric!!!
>
> I was able to go down to Panton and try for this bird. I arrived there at
> 2:40 p.m. I began looking in the area that Eric described and after a
> couple of minutes, the Purple Sandpiper (adult nonbreeding) suddenly
> appeared along the shoreline. I watched it for about a 1/2 hour. It fed
> along the shoreline and shallow water. When I left it was still busily
> feeding at 3:10 p.m. There's no telling whether it will be there again
> tomorrow. . . Good luck to those that get a chance to try for it.
>
> Thanks Eric for putting the word out so promptly.
>
> Enjoy Birds,
>
> Jim Mead
>
> On Thu, Dec 8, 2011 at 1:04 PM, Eric Hynes<[log in to unmask]>  wrote:
>
>> Becky Marvil and I just stumbled upon a Purple Sandpiper at Stone Dam in
>> Panton.  It's foraging along the shoreline on the north side of the dam
>> just across the spillway.  Being from Maine until recently, not sure  how
>> "good" a bird this is here but thought I better post right away. Photos
>> taken.
>>
>> Eric Hynes
>> South Burlington
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone