Hello Tweets,

The Kent Ponds are located just S of South 212th St near
the Kent Boeing complex. A traditional access point has been from
behind the Humane Society building at the end of 64th Ave S. You
can now reach the ponds from Russell Rd which runs along the East
bank of the Green River. This wasn't possible in the past but with
the massive earthmoving as part of the city's stormwater pond-wildlife
project you can simply walk from the small parking lot towards the
ponds. Almost the entire grassy meadow between the road and the ponds
was graded and all the great blackberry patches removed. I just dis-
covered this after work today when I stopped by out of curiosity.
I was rather shocked and felt it would be a couple of years until the
vegetation would recover enough for birds to come back, but then....
a Short-eared Owl flew past about 20 feet in front of me! Oh baby!
That's one of my favorite birds. Shortly another Short-eared came
along. So much for my speculation. Also in the area were 100 or so
"Cackling" Canada Geese with a few larger ones, a Snipe and much
more I'm sure but the sunshine gave out on me. I'll have to go
back ASAP.
Jim Flynn
Renton, WA
bf519 at scn.org