Rankin Bottoms, Cocke county, 9/4/14 Lake elevation: 983.7 ft. Both Buff-breasted Sandpiper (6) and Wilson's Phalarope were present yesterday after 5:00 PM. Of the 21 shorebird species reported this season at Rankin, only Ruddy Turnstone was not seen today. Drawdown of Douglas Lake is proceeding slowly. The mudflat edges will continue to expand well into next week and viewing conditions should continue to improve. As lake elevation drops, the riverbank mudbar will extend north towards Leadvale. This area can be surveyed by driving under the coal tipple to the next viewpoint. Also, Chuck Estes has trimmed the Poison Ivy Trail, off the small parking area about 100 yards from the WMA entrance, for access to the shoreline to view the south end of the embayment. Michael Sledjeski Del Rio TN Wilson's Phalarope -