Hello Tweeters, this morning I took a walk around the Chehalis River Wildlife area at the end of Schouweiler Rd. here in Elma. There was lots of activity in the area and the skies were just becoming sunny at the time I was there. The first bird I spotted after leaving my car was a Cedar Waxwing. I was glad to see that they have finally returned here in Elma since everyone else has been reporting them in other areas in the past week. As I was walking down a grassy road in between the ponds, a very whitish-colored bird caught my attention that landed in the grass about 50 yards in front of me. Luckily, it persisted in the grass for a few minutes so I could see that it was an aberrant American Robin. Its back was patchy white and gray. Also, its tail feathers seemed to be alternating white and gray. I did not get to see its front-side. Compared to the robin that the Sullivan's reported in the grassy field along Wakefield Rd. a couple months ago, this robin today was much more white overall. Quite an interesting bird to watch. Here are the other highlights from wetland today:

Pied-billed Grebe
Turkey Vulture
Wood Duck
Mallard
Cinnamon Teal
Osprey
Virginia Rail (heard only)
Band-tailed Pigeon (fly over)
Belted Kingfisher
Downy Woodpecker
Willow Flycatcher
Bushtit
Marsh Wren
Cedar Waxwing
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Common Yellowthroat

Also, at my home today I had two Cedar Waxwings in a Holly tree in the backyard and a Swainson's Thrush in the backyard too. In our front yard, I'm proud to say we have a robin's nest with some brand new hatchlings in it. The nest is in a Rhodendron bush that is about 6 feet away from our front door so I am able to see it quite well. Today, the hatchlings had their necks extended above the top of nest and their beaks gaping open ready for the next meal. They haven't started to vocalize yet.

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