Yesterday I visited Portage Creek Wildlife Reserve for the first time.
Ranger Gene Ammon gave me the grand tour. I highly recommend a visit if you
haven't been there yet.

In the woods near Gene's residence were many Dark-eyed Juncos, Steller's
Jays, American Robin, Song Sparrows, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed
Chickadees, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, a couple of Downy Woodpeckers, and one
calling Common Raven.

Out in the fields around Portage Creek, we flushed a Short-eared Owl from
the tall grass, which was soon joined by another darker individual. We
watched one fly directly over us, for the best look I've ever had at one.

Also in the area were large numbers of singing Western Meadowlarks, winter
plumaged American Goldfinches, Red-winged Blackbirds, a Virginia Rail,
several Northern Harriers, a couple of Red-tailed Hawks, and a few Marsh
Wrens doing their best imitations of high-tech weaponry.

In the pond near the buildings were Buffleheads, Mallards, a female
Goldeneye I couldn't identify, and a couple of American Coots. The resident
Pied-billed Grebe never showed itself.

Gene showed me the work done by scouts and himself to restore habitat, and
the damage done by rodents to young trees they have planted. It is clear he
wants people to visit as well as help in habitat improvement projects.

For more info, and instructions on how to get there, visit:

http://www.cftinet.com/~gen/sanctuary.html

Best wishes,
Michael B. Brown
Puyallup, Washington
H-253-841-4281
W-253-841-8733
C-253-208-9588
borealis at borealis.seanet.com
Nature Trail- http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/USR/firgrove/brown/trail.htm
Home Page- http://www.seanet.com/~borealis/Resume.htm

"...I found myself suddenly neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned
one, but having caged myself near them."

-Thoreau
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(o!o)
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