Tweets,

Monday I did a fairly rushed check of Ridgefield NWR, River S Unit, in Clark Co, 7-8:45am. Highlight bird was a RED-SHOULDERED HAWK, first perched in a dead tree, then flying west(?) into a stand of trees. The dead tree is one among the first line-up of dead trees running perpendicular to the dike roadway on the left (south?) side, maybe 200 feet after making the first left-hand turn of the loop onto the dike roadway.

I did easily locate one SNOWY EGRET reported previously, viewed from the pulloff for the bathroom. In the vicinity were no less than four calling WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCHes, and numerous passerines--though their activity greatly diminished by 8am and with the onset of drizzle.

Before the last, long straight leg of the loop the roadway "S"es. Just before this point there are two or three isolated trees next to the road. About 100 feet before the trees there is a family of SHORT-TAILED WEASELs (I believe). They forage in the foliage on the left bank, and pop out periodically onto the roadway. I observed them in May, and again Monday, while parked at this location. The young weasel was very "curious."

Good birding!

-- Paul Hicks
Tenino WA
phicks AT accessgrace.org
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