Hello Tweeters,

I spent a few hours this morning out birding in the Elma area. The weather
was somewhat decent with spotty showers and partial clearing. I started
with a trip down Moore Rd. where I observed some Mallards and one male
Green-Winged Teal in one of the small ponds off the road.

I then drove down to the Brady Loop area. Just off the highway, I
encountered two Western Scrub Jays. One of them flew to the top of a
telephone pole quite near to me and proceeded to announce its presence.
Near the intersection of Brady Loop Rd. and Foster Rd., I spotted an
American Kestrel on a power line. After watching it for awhile, it flew and
hovered several times without any prey being caught. Other notable species
seen along the Loop include Trumpeter Swan, Bufflehead, Northern Shoveler,
Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Northern Harrier, Bald Eagle, and Northern
Flicker. Also, I did chance upon spotting two Raccoons laying in a tree
whom seemed to be relaxing the day away.

After driving the Loop, I drove the Wenzel Slough Rd. Notable species seen
include Hooded Merganser, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, and Golden-crowned
Sparrow. On a sad note, I noticed a swan swimming out in one of the ponds
near the twin silos, but when I put by binoculars up on it I saw that its
neck laid flat in the water and there was no movement at all. So to confirm
what I thought, I put my scope up and found it to be dead. It didn't appear
to be damaged at all and was still floating on the water.

Good birding,

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