Hi Tweets,

Just a quick report of two new year birds for me today around the Brady/Elma
area. First off, I was out on the Schaefer-Boom Rd. on the extreme west
side of the Brady Loop complex hoping to see an Osprey. Although no Osprey
were present, I did get my first Savannah Sparrow of the year. It was
perched on top of a fence post along the road. I then drove the entire
Brady Loop area, with the main highlight being another sighting of the
Pink-footed Goose along Foster Rd. amidst a large flock of Canada Geese.
The single Greater White-fronted Goose was also present. The pink-footed
was in the same field I saw it in about a week ago on the eastern side of
Foster Rd. near the northern end of the road.

Also, on North Blockhouse Rd., which is off of Highway 12 heading south from
Elma towards Oakville, there are a couple ponds that I checked today. To my
delight, I was spotted a quick glimpse of a Cinnamon Teal swimming across
one of the openings. The teal was another first for the year.

Lastly, I begun my day with a trip out to Mason county in the Panhandle Lake
area. On advice from Terry Sisson, I located one male and one female
Western Bluebird along Highland Rd. The bluebirds are a lifer for me! They
were moving back and forth between some nest boxes and the utility wires
along the road. To borrow the saying...it was a good day!

Good birding,

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