Greetings everyone,

This morning I headed out to Wenzel Slough Rd. to see if I could spot the
White-tailed Kite again. Much to my pleasure, I found it atop a tree along
the treeline of Vance Creek where it has been sighted before. However, this
time I noticed it was bobbing its tail quite a bit and out of nowhere
another White-tailed Kite appeared. The second kite flew playfully around
the other which stayed on the tree. I decided to try to get closer so I
drove down the road and when I got out to look at them again they were gone.
However, after looking for awhile I spotted them both flying and harrassing
a large raptor. They were quite far away but my best guess on the raptor
would be an immature Bald Eagle. My view of them didn't last long. After
not being able to spot them again, I moved down the road to the field that
has the water depth markers along the road where I was able to spot one of
the Kites again in a tree. At this same location, I spotted a swallow
flying around above me. It was moving too fast to get an ID on it. I have
seen many Tree Swallows in this same location during the summer but never
this early. Here are some of the other notable birds I saw today:

Vance Creek Park - Belted Kingfisher, Pied-billed Grebe, Western Grebe,
American Coot, Bufflehead, Common Merganser

Wenzel Slough Rd. - Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, mature Bald Eagle,
Great Blue Heron, Bewick's Wren, Red Winged Blackbird

Good birding,

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