We spent about 2 hours birding the valley this morning, the most
productive areas being the newly signed Carnation Marsh and the area out
Carnation road past Carnation Farms. The elbow off Neal Road which is
usually a lively spot is still relatively dry and virtually birdless.

Carnation Marsh
Just south of the marsh encountered a huge flock of BLACKBIRDS (500+)
mostly REDWINGED with some BREWERS.
At various places in the marsh and along the marsh road:
FLICKER, MARSH WREN, STELLAR JAY, DOWNY WP, AMERICAN BITTERN (saw one
heard another), SONG SPARROW. Things were kind of slow, but the
bitterns were lifers for two of us. We have birded this area frequently
but knew nothing about Seattle Audobon's involvement here. What a
delight to see it signed and hopefully protected. There is an osprey
platform in the marsh which produced young this year. Look for them
next spring I hope.

Up by the Carnation farms:
MALLARD, GREEN WINGED TEAL, COOTS, BALCK CAPPED CHICKADEE, RED TAIL,
GBH, KINGFISHER, a couple of BALD EAGLES resting and soaring, AMERICAN
WIDGEON, RING-NECKED DUCK, HOODED MERGANSER, DOUBLE CRESTED CORMORANTS,
RING BILLED GULLS, and a pair of GALUCOUS WINGED GULLS eating fish by
the river.

Janet Ray
Preston, WA
janray at oz.net