Late this afternoon (Sat) we checked out the "Boeing Ponds" on 59th Ave So.
and So. 198th near the "Kent Ponds". There were the usual suspects,
mallards, widgeons, greater yellow legs, killdeer, song sparows, GBH,
flicker, and we heard what we think was a spotted sandpiper, though we did
not see it. A kestral flew over and spooked a small flock of dunlin. Best
of all we finally had very good looks at the pipets on this our 4th or 5th
try over a couple weeks--very elusive.

There were two different groups of Canada geese. The usual large, rather
tame variety (about 30) and an intermediate size variety (16) with light
chests, and rather flatish heads like the big ones. A couple had a hint of
white at the base of the black on the neck.We think these were probably the
dusky variation.

After walking the perimeter of this area, we returned to So. 212th and went
east (left) to what must be 66th Ave So., though there is no designation on
the light standard/traffic signal, and turned North into the SE area of that
big block of Boeing property which is bounded by 59th Ave So. on the west,
So. 198th on the north, and West Valley Hwy (68th Ave So., also known as hwy
181) on the east and So. 212th on the south. There is a sign that says no
through traffic, but you can turn right at the end of it and get back out to
West Valley Hwy or turn around and return to So. 212th. The reason we went
there is that there used to be a nice man-made pond in that SE area that has
been "remodeled" and expanded in the last year and we were curious about
what might be there. There is a nice place to park there now but we stayed
in the car because we immediately saw a group of about 60 very small canada
geese (about the same size as a nearby mallard) with quite rounded heads,
dark chests with a hint of chestnut color on some and very small beaks.
Quite a few of them had a narrow white stripe around the base of the black
on the neck. We think we had a group of cackling Canada geese. Pretty
neat. We have seen them at the "Boeing Ponds" in the past but much later in
the winter. This seems early. Something spooked them and they took off in
the direction of the Kent Ponds so hopefully they will still be there for
the census tomorrow. The usual large canadas were undisturbed by us and
whatever spooked the small ones. There were also at least 4 pair of hooded
merganzers, a few ducks and butter buts (yellow rumped warblers). This is a
really nice pond with islands and lots of curvy edges, though not much
shallow shore. It looks like it has great potential so others should check
it out when down in that area. The old pond had become overgrown and the
willows around the edge were too thick to see through toward the end of its
life. The remodel looks like it is maturing nicely and it looks like it may
stay open to viewing for a longer period.

Just before dark we stopped by the grassy knoll at the Kent Ponds, just
south of So. 212th on 64th Ave. So. It looks like the ducks are arriving in
force. Lots of widgeons, coots, shovelers, pintails, etc. Also saw the
great egret and heard 2 virginia rails calling. What a great, calming way
to end a day after the big winds of the past few days.

Dick and Donna Koerker
Normandy Park