Subject: Trip Report - Ridgefield NWR, Feb 14'04
Date: Feb 15 18:53:26 2004
From: Peter Sullins - thesullinsfamily at earthlink.net


All...

Spring trip to Ridgefield NWR yesterday. Lots of birds, lots of
water. In fact more water than we've ever seen at Ridgefield. No wind, temp
mid-to high 40's. Cloudy beginning of day, but very sunny by mid-afternoon.
Very pleasant.

Ridgefield NWR, Feb 14'04:

8 American Kestrels, mostly in the open areas south of the Entrance
Kiosk
8 Northern Harriers, also mostly in the open areas, but few more by
the Blind Kiosk
350 Mallards, everywhere as usual, still a very pretty bird
7 Cinnamon Teals, in the two ponds at the Entrance Kiosk, then in
the ponds around the wooded area.
50 Northern Pintails, population not as great as previous trips, but
sprinkled throughout the NWR
500 American Coots, everywhere, I mean EVERYWHERE.
50 American Crows, total daily count
8 Red-Winged Blackbirds, no large flocks, just one here and there.

approx 800+ Canada Geese, one very large gaggle on the ground just
after leaving the wooded area. Flight after flight coming in to join those
on the ground. We counted what we believe to be 18 of the Minima specie
amongst one group of Honkers. Much smaller all around. Neck shorter, head
more rounded, body not as large. Can't be sure, but noticeably smaller than
other near-by Honkers.

7 Common Goldeneye
15 Lesser Scaup
2 Pied-Billed Grebes
23 American Wigeons
16 Ringed-Billed Ducks
15 Great Blue Herons
14 Buffleheads
17 Gadwalls

approx 350 Northern Shovelers. These guys also everywhere. Seemed
like every pond had its resident population of at least 25.

350 Tundra Swans

9 Bald Eagles, 4 imm, two adults fussing over a tree perch, two
adults guarding the road just before reaching the Blind Kiosk.

9 Red-Tailed Hawks, including one sitting on the ground watching us
watch him
4 American Robins on the ground
1 Mountain Bluebird
1 Golden Eagle - through the trees on the wooded part of the road
1 Belted Kingfisher as he flew by
1 Cooper's Hawk
2 Hooded Mergansers
1 American Bittern
100 European Starlings - feeding on the ground amongst the Honkers
1 Herring Gull

1 Western Meadowlark - Never saw this guy, but clearly heard his
music. Couldn't have been more than 20' away, but could not find him.

1 Song Sparrow
2 Killdeer
1 Western Scrub Jay at the Entrance Kiosk, on the ground and posing
on the NWR Sign.

Good day of birding... Took about 4 hours to make the loop...
Peter Sullins
The Sullins Family
In The Village of Silver Firs
Everett, WA
TheSullinsFamily at earthlink.net