Subject: Steigerwald Lake Refuge
Date: Apr 16 20:17:29 1998
From: Wilson E Cady - gorgebirds at juno.com
Today I did my monthly census route at Steigerwald Lake Refuge,
Clark County, WA. As of yet there were no shorebirds present, not even a
Killdeer. I was surprised to see four PURPLE MARTINS sitting on top of
the nest boxes that Dave Fouts has put up on the dike along the Columbia
River.
The only other sighting of interest was a small rail that was in
one of the weed filled marshes. It was only a few inches in height and a
solid black color, my first impression was of a Black Rail without the
spotting or the chestnut on the back of the neck. As I watched it head
into the rushes it spread its wings for balance and I realized it had no
feathers on the wings. And then an adult VIRGINIA RAIL came out and
hurried of with this downy chick, this was the first rail chick that I
have found.
Wilson Cady
Washougal, WA.
gorgebirds at juno.com
360-835-5947 gorgebirds at juno.com
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