Subject: No E. Widgeon Sunday, Tweeter's trip lifers
Date: Oct 21 11:56:32 2002
From: kjandrich at netscape.net - kjandrich at netscape.net


Hi Tweeters,

I was on a mission to relocate the E. Widgeon at Cavanaugh Ponds yesterday and no luck. ?There was a lot of bird activity but I ignored most of it cuz I had some other stuff to do but I did brake for Cedar Waxwings, they are so lovely and every time I see them this time of year I think it might be the last until next year although I am not sure what their usual departure time is. ?

Widgeons were darn near the only duck on the ponds, Mallards were conspicuous by their absence. ?I can't remember when they aren't around. I think I looked at every widgeon at least three times!! ?The Pie Billed Grebes have competition now. ?I saw one with a large fish for it's size trying to break it apart or somehow swallow it and the three Ring Neck Ducks were onto that in a flash. ?I am not sure if the PB Grebe lost it's meal or not but it sure got displaced. ?New arrival was 2 Scaup, looked like Lesser to me. ?So the grebes have even more competition. ?I am looking forward to the Bufflehead's return. ?(bet the grebes aren't though :-) ? )

On another note I went on the Tweeters trip on Sat and got one for sure lifer and 3 sorta lifers. ?The White Throated Sparrow was new for me and a new Washington bird for a pair of experienced birders with us. ?Some people did not get to see it unfortunately. ?I think when we moved closer we scared it down into the blackberry brambles. ?I think I have seen Merlin before but this was the first confirmed sighting for me. ?I have been told those little brown distant things in the scope were Pipits but I really felt those times that I hadn't really SEEN them, but Saturday I SAW them up close and personal! ?It was wonderful! ?They were right in front of us bathing and foraging in the Boeing pond. ?The flying Sandhill Crane was the first time I have actually seen them. ?I got to hear them croaking on a field trip to Ridgefield but didn't see them.

So a great birding weekend even without the Eurasian Widgeon.

Kathy

Kathy Andrich
Roosting in Renton
kjandrich at netscape.net

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