This morning I headed out in the fog with the intention of finding some
swans in the Chehalis river valley around Elma. Well, I didn't find any
swans today, but I did have a few highlights. At Vance Creek County park,
there were 4 Hooded Mergansers (1 male, 3 females) on the pond on the
opposite side of the road from the main pond. After the park, I drove down
Wenzel Slough Rd. where I had great views of a Red-tailed Hawk that was
perched in a dead tree. Also, at Bill Goeres farm there was a huge mixed
flock of starlings, Brewer's Blackbirds, and Red-winged Blackbirds. Along
Brady Loop Rd. near Willis St., there were 3 female Bufflehead and one
female Goldeneye (couldn't narrow down to which kind due to poor
visibility). Also, near the public fishing access I had incredible views of
a juvenile Rough-legged Hawk. It had a almost pure white head with a very
dark belly band. It flew off to be mobbed by a large flock of crows. On
the western side of the loop, I stopped at one point to look at two female
Northern Harriers that were working the fields. To my delight, the same
juvenile Rough-legged Hawk flew in while I was scanning the area. I also
spotted a mature Bald Eagle and an American Kestrel in the same area. It
was a good foggy day!

Good birding,

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