I was out briefly this morning checking a few areas of the refuge. No ice today but it isn't far away. Among various flocks along the route:

At least 20 TRICOLORED BLACKBIRDS near the Camano Island Cattle Co. feedlot 7 miles west of Othello. Blackbird flocks are many and large right along SR 26 with all species other than Rusty seen, and they were probably among the other species. But traffic is difficult and viewing should be from well off the pavement.

There were 85 TUNDRA SWANS (no TRSW) at the County Line Ponds.

A MERLIN and several AM TREE SPARROWS along Corfu Road toward the wooded north end. Also in the woods were RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET, LINCOLN'S SPARROW, ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK, SPOTTED TOWHEE, 2 GREAT HORNED OWLS and lots of finches and sparrows.

A small gull along SR 262 = O'Sullivan Dam that may have been a first year MEW GULL but I didn't get a scope view.

A NORTHERN SHRIKE along Morgan Lake Road south of O'Sullivan Dam.

Lots (about 5000) of small Canada and large Cackling Geese with a single SNOW or ROSS'S GOOSE mixed in within the closed area of Marsh Unit 2. Also several flocks of HOODED MERGANSERS.

All but the blackbirds were in Grant County.

Randy Hill
Othello