Hello Tweets,

This afternoon my mother and I checked a few locations in the Satsop area of Grays Harbor Co. along with observing the RUFF again along Moore Rd.,which was present during both of our visits during the afternoon until 3:30pm. The Ruff was again noted loosely associating with the lingering Greater Yellowlegs,in which the Ruff is just slightly smaller in overall size among other features that seperate the two species. The bird appears to be a juvenile female due to the overall size compared to the Greater Yellowlegs, in which a male would be noticeably larger. The bird at times allowed us to see the U-shaped white rump at times,as it raised it's wings,while preening and foraging along the water's edge. There were many other observers present during our visit that also observed the Ruff and it appears the bird seems quite comfortable with the location along Moore Rd. with a good food source of earthworms and the company of the Greater Yellowlegs. A female Am.Kestrel and a "Black"Merlin were also observed along Moore Rd. from the Ruff location.During the afternoon my mother and I also birded along Wenzel Slough Rd.(south of Hwy.12)and managed to locate up to 6 Swamp Sparrows at two locations. Our first Swamp Sparrow was the presumed same individual we photographed on the 29th at the same location along Keys Rd.(north of Wenzel Slough Rd.)in a large,extensive bramble patch,in which the bird this afternoon came immediately out into full,but rather brief views to our efforts of simple "pishing" along the immediate roadside. Next, a short walk into a large,weedy field along Wenzel Slough Rd. produced 5 Swamp Sparrows in a confined area amongst several Song Sparrows and a few Lincoln's Sparrows nearby. The sharp,metallic call notes of all 5 Swamp Sparrows were heard at close range(which clouded out the thinner "chip" notes of the nearby Lincoln's Sparrows),then with enough "pishing" the birds popped up into full view,showing their clear gray breasts,white throat,and rusty wings(with darker brown on the crown and back contrasting to the gray face). The area probably with enough searching and coverage may host even more Swamp Sparrows due to appropriate wintering habitats along with other nearby areas along Wenzel Slough Rd. It was certainly a high count for us for one day in WA of this species.

Other birds of note along Wenzel Slough Rd. included the adult White-tailed Kite, 1 male Am.Kestrel,and the lingering group of both swans species.


Good birding,

Ruth and Patrick Sullivan
godwit at worldnet.att.net