For distributional interest, the American Wigeons were on Sammamish Slough
for the first time this fall (at least my first sighting) today at noon.
For the last two weeks we have also had a Chinese Goose (suspect an escaped
domestic) just n. of 124th St.

In the recent habitat project that added snags and stumps in the water for
fish habitat and a big tree planting project on bare banks the County put up
a lot of nest boxes along the slough. Included in these are what appear to
me to be Wood Duck boxes. I have never seen a Wood Duck anywhere near the
Sammamish Slough. Any thoughts on their distribution from the n. end of
Lake Sammamish to the n. end of Lake Washington? Would the boxes increase
the likelihood of nesting? What other species are likely to occupy these boxes?

Charles Vaughan
Woodinville, WA
cev at rocket.com