Subject: [Tweeters] Ruddy Duck - Snoqualmie Ridge (Eagle Lake)
Date: Mar 6 12:32:51 2007
From: johntubbs at comcast.net - johntubbs at comcast.net


Hi all,

Eagle Lake on Snoqualmie Ridge, near the TPC golf clubhouse and easily viewable from the public road and sidewalks, occasionally generates some really interesting birds besides the usual suspects. [For example, last year in the early fall I saw a Sora and several Long Billed Dowitchers.] Yesterday (Monday) on the way home, after almost deciding not to take the extra couple of minutes to check out the lake, I went by the lake and gave it a look. Along with the American Coots, Mallards, Buffleheads, American Wigeon and copious Red Winged Blackbirds was a single adult male Ruddy Duck, not yet in breeding plumage. This species is a bit tough to find in my neck of the woods and reinforced the 'always stop to take a look' rule.

Also at lunch today, I took a drive along the Evans Creek Natural Area (the semi-famous 'Red Brick Road') in Redmond. The Marsh Wrens were so vocal and prolific in number that it sounded a bit like a locust swarm. Then a first of the year for me - three Tree Swallows working the marsh.

John Tubbs
Snoqualmie, WA
johntubbs at comcast.net
www.tubbsphoto.com