Ridgefield NWR had more species (73) today than last weeks total (64), but
not nearly as many rarities. Last week had 5 Black-necked Stilts, 1
Red-shouldered Hawk, 1 Nashville Warbler. While today April 30 didn't
really have anything outstanding. Here is a run down of what was seen
today:

Woods leading down to the Refuge:
1 small flock Red Crossbills
2 Pacific-slope Flycatchers
1 Hermit Thrush
Winter Wrens
1 Red-breasted Sapsucker
1 Wilson's Warbler
1 Purple Finch singing

northern part of the loop before the photo blind:
2 Chipping Sparrows
4 Yellow-headed Blackbirds
1 American Bittern
1 calling Virginia Rail
2 Common Snipe winnowing
1 Western Sandpiper
1 Downy Woodpecker
several American Goldfinches defending territories

Photo Blind:
1 White-breasted Nuthatch
1 pair Common Bushtits possibly making a nest in the Osoberry bush along
trial
1 Red-tailed Hawk must have been super hungry as it tried for something 10
feet from me, but missed and then just hung around the whole time I was
there.
1 House Wren--my first for the year on the refuge
1 pair of Bewick's Wrens
both Sora and Virginia Rails calling. The Sora I had to talk him into it
before he would open his mouth.
2 Yellow-headed Blackbirds
1 Greater Scaup

The Oak Grove that the loop passes through:
1 Orange-crowned Warbler
zillions of 'Butter Butts' commonly known as Yellow-rumped Warblers

last pond on route where I see shorebirds often:
31 Long-billed Dowitchers
5 Western Sandpipers
2 Least Sandpipers

Birds that were here last week, but couldn't find today were: Gr.
White-fronted Geese, Red-shouldered Hawk, Black-necked Stilts, Greater
Yellowlegs--wierd they weren't seen or heard, Vaux's Swifts, Nashville
Warbler.

Wonder what next week will produce. Would be nice to hit it when a 'wave'
of migrants are going through. Looked for Hermit Warbler that Patrick
Sullivan had--couldn't even find a warbler foraging flock there. Also
looked for the Solitary Sandpipers--knowing these guys they could have been
hideing.

Ken Knittle, Vancouver, WA
washingtonbirder at hotmail.com





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