Two-thirds of the summer is behind us but I feel the need to write about things that keep you thinking warm. A few weeks ago I focused on a few bigger coastal birds, the gulls. There are much smaller shore birds associated with summer vacations, the sandpipers. Some sandpipers can be seen locally.

The spotted sandpiper is common around lakes and larger ponds in our area. They can be found feeding along shorelines.Obviously the spotted breast and belly help you understand how it was named and will help you identify it quickly. If I could show you a video clip of one flying, it would also help in identification. I will try to have you visualize this rather small, stocky bird taking flight with alternating bursts of wing beats and glides, barely above the water's surface, often flying but 50 yards, only to alight again. With an almost constant bobbing while walking, it begins feeding again. They breed in scattered areas in Pennsylvania but more throughout Canada. Look for them along our private lakes, public watersheds, and Beltzville and Mauch Chunk reservoirs, especially in May.The solitary sandpipermakes migration stops here. However, I find more of them along streams rather than lake shores. As its name implies, they migrate alone, not in large flocks as do most other sandpipers. In May I normally find them feeding along a stream where I interrupt their feeding while I'm fly-fishing. Mahoning, Lizard, Pohopoco, Aquashicola creeks, and the Lehigh Canal are all likely locations to see one. The solitary sandpiper reaches 8.5 inches while the spotted reaches 7.5 inches in size. Solitary sandpipers' flight is not sputtering like the spotted. They breed throughout Canada, nesting in trees (quite unusual) and winter in South America.Sanderlings, in my opinion, are the most entertaining sandpipers. Seldom ever seen inland, you may have observed these active birds along the Atlantic Coast. However, since they nest on the arctic tundra, you may need to wait until early August to see them return to the Atlantic beaches where they spend the winter. If you vacation at the shore only in the heart of summer you may not see them.Their feeding habits, rather than their appearance, may help you identify them. Picture the waves rolling in and back out again on the beach. Then one or a half dozen of these sandpipers rush toward the water as the wave retreats, and then, as quickly as they rushed after the waves, their little legs carry them quickly ahead of the wave as it returns. They are searching for mole crabs or other small crustaceans. You don't need to read a book to occupy your beach time, just sit back and watch this small sandpiper race the waves and enjoy the show.The greater yellowlegsis a bit larger than your "typical" sandpiper. The greater yellowlegs is less likely to be seen on a beach with breaking waves. Look for them in coastal tidal pools where they often comically spin around in circles chasing minnows with their very long, pencil-thin legs. Locally, my birding buddies Dave, Rich and I usually see them in spring and fall on the shores of Beltzville. Look for them in local shallow ponds, marshy areas, and some of our private lake shores, too. They have a close cousin, the lesser yellow legs. Even if you are an accomplished birder, distinguishing these two can be a challengeTo enjoy sandpipers, try vacationing at the "shore" when the crowds diminish in September or grab a beach chair, the Times News, and sit near Beltzville beach in May.Test your knowledge: One of the most important prey animals in Pennsylvania is the meadow vole (mouse). Biologist estimate that about __ live in a 1-acre field. A. 10, B. 45, C. 250, D. 1,000Last week's quiz answer: Rabbits and hares are closely related, however hares generally are larger, have larger ears, and bear young that are completely furred at birth; and thus rabbits and hares are not one in the same.Contact Barry Reed at

breed71@gmail.com.