Pond #4, furthest from the parking lot.

The ponds at West 90 are the result of jointly managed project between Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife and Ducks Unlimited. Principally intended as a resource for hunters the network of ponds is literally jumping with shorebirds in Autumn. In August 2002 there were over 210 lesser yellowlegs feeding on the most frequented pond, furthest from the parking lot and next to the dyke which prevents flooding from Padilla Bay - easily the highest number I have seen anywhere in the state. At the same time there were over 100 Semi-palmated Sandpipers - an astounding number by state standards. However the ponds are seasonal and in 2003 they all dried up completely and very few birds were seen. With decreasing rainfall forecast for the future as global warming takes effect this valuable resource will be lost unless the water levels are actively managed.

The ponds are situated in cornfields, primarily used as a source of food for ducks. There should be trails through the fields but if not walk around the edges to avoid unnecessarily flattening the cereals.

Best Times To Visit

The ponds are at their best in Autumn when they start to dry out. Peak migration through Puget Sounds is from late July to mid August. Good numbers of feshwater shorebirds can be found feeding on the ponds. At high tide their numbers are swelled by Western Sandpipers moving in to roost from the mudflats in Padilla Bay. In Spring the water levels are high so there is little or no exposed mud and so few birds use the area.

During The Day
Late afternoon when the sun is starting to set is the best time. Sitting at the west or north sides with the sun on your back creates the best lighting. If the tide is also high at the same time then a few thousand Western Sandpipers also come onto the ponds to roost. This helps settle the other birds that are present. It also helps having extra pairs of eyes to look out for the peregrine falcons which hunt in the area.

What Species To Expect

Most of the shorebirds passing through the area are feshwater species. With the exception of the Western Sandpipers which visit at high tide, Least Sandpipers and Lesser Yellowlegs are most common. A few Greater Yellowlegs are also present but nothing like the numbers of Lesser Yellowlegs. The remaining species are relatively few in number but the diversity is high. In 2002 there were Semi-palmated Sandpipers (probably an exceptional year), Baird's Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Buff-breasted Sandpiper (at least 2), Wilson's Phalarope, Red-necked Phalarope (2002 was a big year around Puget Sound with 40-60 birds on the ponds - almost all juveniles), Red Knot (2 juveniles), Stilt Sandpiper (a real gem) and Semi-palmated Plover. Flying past and sadly not stopping: Black-bellied Plover, Whimbrel, Long-billed Curlew, and Marbled Godwit - the last three being relatively unusual for Puget Sound. Number of dowitchers are surprisingly low given the habitat, though both Long-billed and Short-billed can be seen.

If a red-necked or long-toed stint is going to appear in Puget Sound this is the place to find it.

What's Good

• Like Thomas Pond, the reflection off the water, particularly when there are clouds over the Cascade Mountains is hard to beat, and produces the most smooth backgrounds for taking pictures.
• At their peak in the Autumn several hundred birds use the ponds. The ponds are not that large so when the birds are spread out to feed thre is a rich diversity of birds to photograph
• The diversity of birds using the ponds is excellent. Most are freshwater species but some real surprises such as Red Knot, Whimbrel and Buff-breasted Sandpiper can put in an appearance.
• The ponds are a great place for Lesser Yellowlegs and Semi-palmated Sandpiper, particularly the latter which is hard to photograph elsewhere in the state - Thomas Pond being a notable exception.
• Outside of the hunting season, which starts in October, the site is practically unused. A few birders visit but not many walk out to the ponds which are furthest from the parking lot.

What's Not So Good

• Mosquitoes and plenty of them. With West Nile Virus likely to show up in the state this year (2004) make sure you bring insect repellant.
• A number of new ponds were dug in 2003/2004 so the birds have a larger number of choices on where to roost. The ponds closest to the bay are usually the most frequented however.