The first-winter Purple Sandpiper, not seen yesterday in the heavy rain, is feeding on the rotting algae on the mudbanks on the west side of Cobourg harbour this morning, Sunday Oct.26 - being viewed by several birders around 11am. It keeps company with a lone Dunlin and is right out in the open, rather than crawling around rocks, giving excellent views. When I saw it just now it was about halfway along the west headland - from the parking lot on the west side of the harbour walk out on the headland and you will see tracks through the vegetation that will take you down to the mudflats at this level. It doesn't seem at all wary but photographers were giving it respectful room. The Snowy Owl was not seen today but may well still be around. A single Brant was in the harbour 2 days ago. Directions: Exit Hwy.401 at Division Street, Exit 474, and drive south to the harbour. Drive round the north edge of the harbour for free parking on the west side, and walk out on the west headland. Margaret Bain Cobourg mjcbain@sympatico.ca