...............Since the weather was so nice, I took a leisurely drive on
the auto tour road in River-S Unit--Ridgefield NWR, just north of
Vancouver, Wash. yesterday afternoon after work.
...............Things pretty dry, but there were a few wetlands still
wet.
...............One shrinking pond had 17 Great Egrets; a good number of
Long-billed Dowitchers(in winter plumage); a few West. Sandpipers, a
number of Pied-billed Grebes; some Killdeer, and of coarse bevy of
mature and immature Great Blue Herons.
...............An immature Green Heron, along with Mallards, and a Nutria
was at a slough. An Am. Bittern was reported in this area , but I
personally didn't see it.
...............A more full pond had the usual summer 'dipping ducks',
along with a large Canada Goose, and 6 White-fronted Geese (--both
matures and immatures).
...............Lots of Sparrows(Savannahs mainly); Female Goldfinches; 2
Common Yellowthroats; Barn Swallows (--didn't see any other species of
swallows); female Harrier Hawks, a D.Crested Cormorant; a Turkey
Vulture,; and a Red-tailed Hawk.
...............I'm sure there were more birds present, but I was too
tired to walk the road for more thorough birdwatching. Cheers!!!!!

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