...................Went to the River- S Unit (south unit) of the
Ridgefield NWR for the first time since late Sept. About 50% of the land
was under water from the rains. Due to the vast amount of water, ducks
were spread out in area quite a bit,and.......viewing was pretty much
from the road, as many of the familiar walking trails along sides of
lakes had water over them.
...................There were many of the more familiar wintering dipping
and diving ducks. along with some less common species: 2 Ruddy ducks, 9
Canvasbacks, Hooded Mergansers, and several Eared Grebes. 3 Tundra Swans
were seen in a marshy field, along with 5 of their larger cousins--the
Trumpeter Swans(who were resting by Rest Lake).(The rest of the usually
much more numerous amounts of Tundra Swans must have been in another
part of the refuge!!)
...................Saw, on a muddy mound in a flooded field, about 40
small whitish shorebirds, either Sandpipers, or Sanderlings.. Without
spotting scope on hand, I could not identify. In either case either of
these 2 species is a pretty rare sight for this area in winter..(Dunlin
would be more likely, but these looked too whitish for Dunlin).
...................Zillions of Canada Geese!!!!!! Buzzed by Belted
Kingfisher, and eyed by several Harrier Hawks. And heard, but did not
see a Great Horned Owl. A persistent cold, and cold winds kept me from
staying longer and being more enthusiastic about birding at this time.

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net