Subject: wenzel slough rd. & CWA
Date: Sep 19 13:16:19 2003
From: Tim O'Brien - kertim7179 at centurytel.net


This morning I checked out the Chehalis Wildlife area and did a quick trip
down Wenzel Slough Rd. here in Elma. One new duck, a female Ruddy Duck, was
spotted at the first pond along the grassy road in the wildlife area. I was
also treated to 2 American Bitterns on my way back to the car before I left
the area. Along Wenzel Slough Rd. in the Bill Goeres farm area, there were
approximately 12 Turkey Vultures present. Some were on the ground and some
roosting in the trees. Several flocks of 15-20 Savannah Sparrows were
spotted along the road in and out of the corn fields as well. Further down
Wenzel Slough Rd., I pulled over to view 4 Wood Ducks (2 males in breeding
plumage) that were swimming in the Chehalis river when a commotion of birds
flew up out of the field on the opposite side of the road. A Sharp-shinned
Hawk appeared from the river side of the road flying into the field which
apparently caused the commotion. When the Sharpie left my view, I then
noticed another small sized raptor perched in a snag out in the middle of
the field. It allowed me to get a good view with my scope and I was
surprised to see it was a Merlin. It didn't stay long on the snag. It took
off at a blistering pace diving down into the field below. Lastly, I
stopped by Vance Creek park to see if by chance the Western Grebe was still
present at pond #1. I had checked a week ago with no success and today I
had the same results. That Western Grebe has been at that pond for at least
a year and a half and now its gone.

Good birding,

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