My wife and I birded the Vancouver Lake Lowlands and River "S"
Unit of the Ridgefield Refuge in Clark County on Nov. 3. There were about
500 SANDHILL CRANES around Post Office Lake at the end of Lower River
Road in the lowlands. TUNDRA SWANS are now common and were present at
Post Office Lake and the River "S" Unit. 4 RED-NECKED GREBES wee in
Vancouver Lake near the Flushing Channel and a few WESTERN GREBES could
be seen further out in the lake.
At the Ridgefield River "S" Unit raptors stole the show a
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was screaming from the woods near the Kiwa Trail
which is closed to foot traffic until May (as is the rest of this unit).
We saw 2 ROUGH-LEGGED HAWKS, many NORTHERN HARRIERS, and what we are sure
are 3 FERRUGINOUS HAWKS. These birds were walking and hunting on the
ground, had feathered legs, bright white chests, large bills on a
flattened head. Above the eye there is a white "eyebrow" line and the
tails were light and lacking a dark terminal band. I have seen the birds
hover and when in the air chasing Northern Harriers were considerably
larger than the harriers with about a foot more wingspan. We did see one
perched on the ground next to a Rough-legged Hawk and it seemed to be
slightly larger than the Rough-legged. The birds are using the large
grassy field after Rest Lake as you head for the entrance and restrooms.
I would appreciate comments/reports from anyone else who observes these
birds. I know this would be a highly unusual sighting for Clark County
although this is the same spot there was a Ferruginous Hawk last year.
Wilson Cady
gorgebirds at juno.com