Two hours at Ridgefield NWR neted me some quality birds and yes migration
has really kicked in since last week when I birded there. Best bird was 4
Black-necked Stilts before you get to the photo blind and another one at the
southern end. Black-necked Stilts are tough in western Washington with this
refuge being one of the best spots to find them for this side of the
Cascades. Also 8, all males, Yellow-headed Blackbirds were making lots of
noise making it hard digging out the chip notes of warblers. Only one good
find warbler wise was a Nashville Warbler in a starting to leaf out willow
near the southern edge of the oaks that the loop passes through.

18 Greater White-fronted Geese were hanging out by themselves in the water
and 1 Red-shouldered Hawk near the southern end of the oaks as well. This
is only the 2'nd time this year that the Red-shouldered Hawk has shown
itself. Probably nesting in the area, but no way of knowing since getting
out of vehicles isn't possible.

Vaux's Swifts were passing through about 1 every 15 mins. mixed in with the
swallows. Both rails (Sora and Virginia Rail) were calling at the photo
blind.

Birds that were absent since last week were no Northern Pintail, no Bald
Eagles, no Sandhill Cranes, no Ruby-crowned Kinglets. A total of 64 species
made this loop around the refuge very rewarding.

Ken Knittle
washingtonbirder at hotmail.com



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