I visited the Chehalis Wildlife area (CWA) and part of the Brady Loop
complex this morning. It was very foggy when I walked out into the CWA so
birding wasn't so great. However, I did manage to locate a male and female
Hooded Merganser on one of the ponds. Also, at least three Tree Swallows
were flying in the area. I also was treated to the call of at least two
Virginia Rails.

In the Brady Loop area, I started with a slow drive down Foster Rd., where I
spotted three more Tree Swallows flying. Also, along the road perched in
trees were two Red-tailed Hawks and one American Kestrel. Further down
Foster Rd, I scoped the corn stubble field off to the west and spotted about
ten Gadwall mixed in with Mallard, Northern Pintail, and Green-winged Teal.
Also, along the edge of the pond that the ducks were in were four
Long-billed Dowitchers and approximately five Dunlin. From Foster Rd., I
drove the eastern portion of Brady Loop Rd., where my biggest surprise was
spotting four Semipalmated Plovers on the edge of a pond. They were located
on the southernmost portion of Brady Loop Rd. on the pond that lies directly
north of the old fallen down barn next to the abandoned house. Knowing that
the plovers are not very common at an inland location like this, I made sure
to confirm the ID by noting the single breast band, yellow legs, small size,
and the orange on the base of the bill.

My other highlight of the day was two Violet-green Swallows. One was
perched on a utility wire along Keys Rd. and the other on a wire near the
Elma airport.

Good birding,

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