Two and one-half hours of birding at Ridgefield produced some new migrants
this afternoon before the gate closed. I try to bird this once a week to
get a handle on Clark Co. birds. Here's some of the highlites of what was
seen. Total species=69.

2 American Bittern
18 Long-billed Dowitchers
6 Short-billed Dowitchers---not hanging out with the Long-billeds
6 Dunlin
3 Western Sandpipers
11 Greater Yellowlegs--scattered all over---the rest of the above shorebirds
hang out at the last water hole (pond) that lies south of the loop drive.
8 Common Snipe---winnowing
small groups of Caspian Terns migrating up river along the Columbia
1 late female Common Goldeneye
6 Sandhill Cranes
2 Band-tailed Pigeons
14 Common Yellowthroats where as of last week I didn't hear any. Sounds
like they all moved in in the last week.

The gate still reads that it closes at 6pm so I didn't chance it. The gate
on the Lower River Rd. says it closes at 8pm. A week ago it was 6pm, but
due to day light saving time and longer days this is great. 2 more birdable
hours.

Ken Knittle, Vancouver, WA
washingtonbirder at hotmail.com



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