This afternoon I spent about 3 hours out birding around Elma. The skies were overcast but dry after drizzling all morning and there was a constant wind out of the west. I visited the Chehalis Valley Wildlife area and explored some of the ponds around Vance Creek County park. I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. I did manage to see three Osprey nests today, two in the wildlife area and one at the park. All three had an adult on the nest. Also, in the wildlife area there were several Pied-billed Grebes vocalizing today. They were surprisingly loud but very hard to spot because of the huge amounts of lily-pads in the pond. At Vance Creek park, I had a Green Heron fly over which was unusual to see since they seem to be pretty elusive most of the time. Also, one lone Greater Scaup is on the pond nearest the airport and the Western Grebe is still on the main pond. Does anyone know what the earliest record of the Western Grebe is at the park? I'm just wondering how long its been here and if it could be considered a resident since its been here at least a year from my records.

I'm also trying out a new feeder in my backyard. I got the idea from an Audubon bird feeding book so this morning I took a small tree log with the bark still on it and drilled out five holes in it. The holes are 1/2'' in diameter and about 1/2'' deep. I then took some peanut suet and packed the holes with it. Its now hanging out in the yard away from my other feeders. I'm hoping to attract some woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches with it. Anyone try this type of feeder out? On a side note, my wife thinks she saw a Western Tanager gathering up salmon berries in our backyard today. This would be a new yard bird for us if she is right. I've been stuck to the windows all evening hoping to see it, but no luck yet.

Good birding,

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

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