Tweeters and OBOLers,

I've been visiting Ridgefield NWR in Clark County regularly (Dec 1, 2,
3, 8) over the last week and here's a summary of the highlights:

American Bittern one on December 2
Tundra Swan a high of 531 on Saturday, December 2
Gr. White-fronted Goose - as reported by Bill Clemons on Dec 2, 2 with
large
Cackling Goose flock east of rest Lake
Cinnamon Teal three on all visits
Canvasback a high of 38 on Rest Lake on Dec. 8 and 25 on
December 2
Hooded Merganser - a high of 105 at the southeast corner of Rest Lake in
the
Evening on Dec 3 and 90 on Dec 2. This is a
roost spot & there were more Mergs arriving as I was
leaving. With the Refuge gate closing at 5pm now,
it may not be possible to get an accurate count
without getting locked into the refuge for the
night. Rest Lake also appears to be a roost site for
Bufflehead
Virginia Rail several calling on December 8 and a single calling bird
on December 2
Gr. Yellowlegs one on December 2
Harlan's Hawk single on the east side of Rest Lake on Dec 1,2 and 8 -
look for this in the prominent group of 3 trees on the
auto route on the East side of Rest Lake
Red-shouldered Hawk one on December 8 halfway through the woods between
the Kiwa Trailhead and where the road emerges onto
the marsh on Dec 8
White-tailed Kite December 8 on east side of Rest Lake
Peregrine one juv Peale's on Dec 2
Merlin one on Dec 2
Short-eared Owl WOW - at least 4 hunting birds on each visit except Dec
3. They put on quite a show yesterday evening on
the east side of Rest Lake
Swamp Sparrow one on December 8 halfway through the woods between the
Kiwa Trailhead and where the road emerges onto the marsh
on Dec 8 (a new Washington bird for me).

I missed the Trumpeter Swans, Prairie Falcon, Northern Shrike, and Brant
on all visits although I only visited in the afternoon and usually sat
at the southeast corner to watch ducks and geese and cranes and owls.

The American Goldfinch flock at my Battle Ground yard feeders has grown
from 1 to 10 and has at least three accompanying Pine Siskins (time to
stock up on thistle seed). I'm still waiting for the Common Redpolls to
grace my feeders though. Golden-crowned Sparrow (1st non-spring bird),
Bushtits, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and Purple Finch have also been at
the feeders this week - I have never had any of these species at my
feeders in the late fall or winter.

Get Out There and Bird!

Jim Danzenbaker | Naturalist Manager
Brunton

Battle Ground, WA
Clark County
360-723-0345