Tweeters:

I birded the Green River Natural Resource Area ("Kent Ponds") for a couple
of hours between 2pm and 4pm this afternoon, and saw a single male Eurasian
Wigeon mixed in with a flock of American Wigeons, Northern Pintails,
American Coots, Ring-necked Ducks and Pie-billed Grebes. I also got a
Harrier "trifecta plus one"; observing, in sequence, a perched and then
hunting male, a large dark hunting female, and a perched and then hunting
juvenile. The "plus one" came as I was watching a Short-eared Owl hunting
over the tall grass field in the scope when suddenly the view was filled
with the dark Harrier female, attacking the owl. They went through a pretty
amazing "dog fight" for about a minute, complete with dives, half-rolls and
sudden applications of the "speed brakes" trying to gain the commanding
position above and behind the opposing bird. The owl finally did what looked
like a complete barrel roll, gained the upper hand and dove on the harrier
from behind, almost colliding with her, which seemed to end the fight; the
birds flew off in opposite directions and soon continued hunting. I seldom
feel the need to have a camera when birding, because I hate to spend time
messing with gear instead of looking at birds, but this is one time I really
wished I had one to record this moment -- although it would have required
video to really capture it.

Good birding.

Bob Stallcop
Maple Valley Heights, Washington
bstallcop at seanet.com
(425)922-2300