Tim Tapio writes:

> Would it be too much to ask if a few more details were given about an
area?
> When I see Black River, I think of the one that drains Black Lake
southwest
> of Olympia.
> I'm still new at this....
Tim Tapio
> Olympia, WA

I'm sure people are confused because of a name change.
Hugh Jennings wrote about the Black River Riparian Forest, which we have
always called the Black River Slough. This is near the south end of Lake
Washington between Renton and Southcenter, which is south of Seattle. I
have written messages with directions to it fairly recently on Tweets, but
I called it by the old name. The slough is the remains of an old river
called the Black River which used to empty the south end of Lk Washington
into the Duwamish River. That was back when Lk Washington was a lot
higher, before they put in the ship canal and the locks some time before
1920 (I think). I wish now that I had gone on the Heron Watch that Hugh
talks about, because I'm sure they were told about the interesting history
of the area, including the fact they have found archeological remains of
Indian camps nearby.
My most recent posting called "Herons Gone From Blk River Slough" was
posted yesterday and it had some directions, but if anyone wants detailed
directions, email me and I'll send them to you. It's a small area, but
it's interesting. Hugh's message is below, but write to me for directions,
not to Hugh. Thanks.
Carol Schulz
DesMoines
linusq at worldnet.att.net
----
> Subject: Black River Riparian Forest
>
>The King County Parks Dept. had a Great Blue Heron Watch at the Black
River
> area from 0930-1130. Cindy Sanford from King Co. Parks organized it.
Suzanne
> Krom who has been studying the heronry for a number of years was there
with
> information about the history of the heronry. I represented the E. Lake
WA
> AS
> and was there to answer questions and provide an additional spotting
scope.
> Unfortunately, there were no herons on the nests. Only about a month ago
we
> had counted 50 herons at the nests. About 28 adults and children showed
up.
> We did get good looks at one GBHE on the shoreline. Other birds on the
water
> were Green-winged Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Canada Geese,
> Lesser Scaup. On land were Rufous Hummingbirds, Black-capped Chickadees,
> Song Sparrows, No. Flicker, Common Goldeneye.
> Hugh Jennings