While participating in the annual Ridgefield Birdfest I checked the Kiwa
Trail on the River "S" Unit for the BLACK PHOEBE that was first found on
September 12, by Tom Aversa and Steve Gerstle. I saw the bird from the
roadway while driving between the Observation Blind and the Kiwa Trail
Parking Lot. This is handy since the trail and all other areas except the
Observation Blind and the Restroom Parking lot are closed to pedestrian
traffic from October 1 to May 1 of each year. the only exception is
during this annual birding festival sponsored by the Friends of
Ridgefield and the Ridgefield N.W.R. The phoebe seems to be using a large
fallen log that is on the north bank of the slough about 100 yards east
of the Kiwa Trail as it's perch, this log is visible from the road
through a break in the blackberries.
There are about 1,500 SANDHILL CRANES on the refuge now and the
ponds are still quite low on water but are being flooded to attract and
hold more waterfowl.
Wilson Cady
gorgebirds at juno.com