Subject: Ridgefield NWR
Date: Apr 17 19:03:35 2002
From: washingtonbirder. Knittle - washingtonbirder at hotmail.com


Today for about 2 hours I checked out Ridgefield NWR. The front gate sign
says it closes now at 7:30pm. Last week it was 6pm.

Notable high water levels have moved many species out. A week ago it was 69
spcies while today only 48 covering the same area. The shorebirds were all
gone save a few Greater Yellowlegs and one Killdeer. There were 4 Common
Yellowthroats while last week there were 14. Ruddy Ducks were scarce also.
The commonest duck species was Northern Shoveler. No Cranes either.

New species for me this year at the refuge were Virginia Rail. I figure
this species is resident. Just haven't heard one until today. Also had one
Orange-crowned Warbler.

Saw a nice flock of breeding plumaged Golden-crowned Sparrows. Nothing
mixed in with them. Looked like they are moving out or just about ready to.
Most of the Canda Geese were small races (taviner's and cackling).

After this wet weather moves on it should move some new species through.
It's very interesting watching for their arrival dates. Most seem late this
year to me, but what do I know I just moved down here to Clark Co. the first
of March. 3 years from now it might look totally different looking back on
my judgements.

Ken Knittle, Vancouver, WA
washingtonbirder at hotmail.com



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