Hello Tweeters, I spent this morning out birding in the Brady Loop and
Wenzel Slough Rd. areas. I enjoyed dry conditions with overcast skies.
Winds were moderately strong out of the east. Here's the highlights:

On the western side of Brady Loop Rd., there were a good amount of raptors.
They included the following species: Bald Eagle (2 adults), American Kestrel
(1 perched on utility line), Rough-legged Hawk (1 perched on top of utility
pole), Northern Harrier (2 females working the fields), and Peregrine Falcon
(1 on the ground in a corn-stubble field). Waterfowl species seen include
the following from highest to lowest numbers: Mallard, Northern Shoveler,
Bufflehead, and Green-winged Teal.

At the intersection of Brady Loop and Foster Rd., the large flock of Dunlin
and Black-bellied Plover continues. A single male Northern Harrier was also
seen near the intersection. Further down Foster Rd., there was one
Red-tailed Hawk and a Rough-legged Hawk which presumably was the same one
seen on the west side of the loop.

On the southeastern portion of Brady Loop Rd., I encountered at least 25
"red-shafted" Northern Flicker. This location which is at the corner with
the old abandoned house has been producing large numbers of flickers in the
past few weeks. Its awesome to see them all fly up out of the field at the
same time. Also, seen a little further east of here, were one adult Bald
Eagle and one Peregrine Falcon. 14 Tundra Swans were also present on a
small pond.

On the ponds, near the intersection of Brady Loop and Willis St. , there
were plenty of waterfowl to be looked at. I could not pick out any Redhead
this time, but there were several ducks too far away to confirm an ID. Duck
species here from highest numbers to lowest included: Northern Pintail,
Mallard, American Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Scaup, and Bufflehead. There
were also two separate groups of Canada Geese and 3 Trumpeter Swans here.

I then drove down to Wenzel Slough Rd. where I was hoping to get some good
looks at the big group of swans that have been in the corn-stubble field
just south of Highway 12 near Keys Rd. as reported by Ruth and Patrick
Sullivan. To my delight, the swans had moved closer to Wenzel Slough Rd.
this morning. I didn't take the time to identify every individual out of
the 96 that I counted, but the majority of the group were Trumpeter with the
lesser amount being Tundra. I spent most of my time trying to get a good
look at a green neck collar on one of the Trumpeters. The collared swan
wasn't being very cooperative. The swan finally moved to where I could see
the collar which had a vertical 3 and a horizontal 1T. I filed a report of
the band as soon as I got home. Also, along Keys Rd. there was an American
Kestrel and a Peregrine Falcon, who was chasing a flock of about 25 Rock
Pigeons.

Good birding,

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