The Last "1"

At the outset of the year, I gave each bird a code from 1 to 6 based on likelihood of me seeing it in Kansas this year.  "1" meant that I was sure to see it without much difficulty.  "6" meant that there was basically no way in the world that I would see it.
Yesterday, I saw the last bird on my list that was given a "1" at the beginning of the year: Western Sandpiper.  Apparently they are not quite as abundant here as I thought.  That perception was probably generated by the fact that they are not rare in Kansas, and I saw my first Westerns last year not long after I moved here, so I thought I would get them easily this year.  In fact, when I made a calendar of when I predicted I would get each of the birds I had a decent shot at, I only listed them in the Spring because I thought I wouldn't have to wait until the Fall.
Well it didn't quite work out that way.  I have spent the last month scouring peep flocks, trying to turn Semipalmated Sandpipers into Westerns.  That's the funny thing about perception.  When you are looking for a specific bird you can almost convince yourself that you are seeing your target when you are looking at a similar bird.  I've had this with Semipalmated/Western Sandpipers, Warbling/Philadelphia Vireo, Herring/Thayer's Gull, Forster's/Common Tern, and a slew of others.  The thing is, when you actually see the target species, you know very quickly (usually) that you've got what you are looking for.
That was definitely true yesterday.  I saw of Semipalmated/Western Sandpipers and immediately checking the bill length.  Most of the birds' bills were obvious: just way too long for Semipalmateds.  After that, everything else fell into place, namely the rufous wing coverts and crown, which make the id obvious.
Anyways, the Westerns make it #235 for Kansas for 2012, and it is #213 for Rooks for 2012.  I'm optimistic that I can make my goal for 245 for Kansas.  I didn't really set a goal for Rooks (that I can remember), but it will be fun to see how many I can get.