Subject: Ridgefield NWR
Date: Sep 28 23:45:32 2003
From: Carol Riddell - cariddell at mac.com


Good evening Tweets,

It was a very bittern day of birding on the River S Unit at Ridgefield NWR.
No, it's not a typo. There were 16 visible American Bitterns on the car
tour route. Observations were first class. The refuge checklist describes
the Bittern during summer and fall as "uncommon, present but not certain to
be seen." I have never seen so many active, visible Bitterns in one place,
ever. What a great day! There were 54 Great Egrets and over 100 Sandhill
Cranes. Many of the usual fall/winter suspects are starting to show up.
There are two days left for walking the Kiwa Trail before it closes for
hunting season. No sign of the Orange Bishop.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds