This late afternoon, I ventured out to Workman Creek Road just south of Elma. After reading, The Art of Pishing article in the latest Washington Birder, I felt extremely encouraged to go out and let loose with all kinds of noises to try to attract birds. It paid off today with my tooting bringing in a Northern-Pygmy Owl to within 6 feet of myself. Before seeing it, I could hear something tooting back to me and then I caught the movement. The small owl allowed me a great look with it staring at me for a few seconds and then turning its head to let me see its "fake eyes" on the back of its head.

Further out Workman Creek Road, at the wetland just beyond the gate at the end of the road, I heard then spotted a Pileated Woodpecker up in one of the alder snags. A nice bird that is sometimes hard to find around here.

Lastly, along Lambert Road (west of Workman Creek Rd.) in a large, flooded field. I found a winter plumaged Red-throated Loon along with a few different species of ducks in the water. This marks my second sighting of a Red-throated Loon at or around Elma during the winter.

Tim O'Brien
Elma, WA
mailto: kertim7179 at yahoo dot com



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