Hello Tweeters,

I once again ventured out into my usual areas around Elma today. I was only armed with my binoculars today due to having to send my scope back because of fogging issues. I added five species to my year list today. Here's the highlights...

Along Foster Rd. in the Brady Loop complex:
Least Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
Barn Swallow

While I was parked near the intersection of Brady Loop Rd. and Foster Rd., a mature Bald Eagle flew in probably 50 yards from me. It landed in the grassy field on the eastern side of the road allowing me to only see its white head above the grass. To my surprise, when it took off again it had a small duck in its talons. I wonder if it took the duck right out of its nest. It looked small enough to be a hatchling. Also, not having a scope limited my ability to look for the Ruff so I didn't spend a lot of time trying to find it amidst the large amounts of Greater Yellowlegs.

Along Keys Rd:
Band-tailed Pigeon (several roosting in a tree)

Satsop Nuclear Plant Mitigation Pond:
Eared Grebe (6 in breeding plumage)

Happy birding,

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at centurytel.net