Yesterday at Dead Creek-Brilyea access I ran into Chris and Fred Pratt who told my they had seen a Short-billed Dowitcher. I found it and some other interesting birds. Short-billed Dowitcher 1 still in breeding plumage Green-wing Teal 6 2 males still in breeding plumage Spotted Sandpiper 2 Solitary Sandpiper 1 Killdeer 7 Green Heron 1 in the turtle pond Great Blue Heron 5 Caspian Tern 1 The heat and lack of rain is causing low water levels and mudflats are becoming exposed all along Brilyea . If this keeps up we could have a great place to see shore birds from as they move south. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't start showing up in the end of July this year. Why not everything else has been early. Good Birding Peter Manship Ludlow Vt