Great day saturday started with a townsend warbler at my feeder and the usual oregon juncos chickadees.Travelled North and stopped at Kyak point and viewed 4 Bald eagles and a great view of a pidgeon guillemot.Further north the water plant at Stanwood saw the most Ruddy ducks at on time with shovelers,mallards,scaup and coots.Further north towards Conway fields of Trumpeter swans and over head flights of snow geese.In a contrast to all the white in the fields a field full of Mallards,Canada and Cackling geese.Bought a parking permit at the Conway Texaco station and headed to Wiley Slough.First time there for me and I was not dissapointed.Beatiful walking trails on the grassy levies with corridors of silver birch trees either side but not so dense so able to see the river and marshes.Right off the bat a ruby kinglet with vibrant red crown then a golden crowned sparrow,lincolns sparrow above my head,song sparrows covering the trail ahead.Bewicks wrens singing,and the sun was
shining.While observing a female Harrier sitting in some flattened cattails a belted kingfisher hit the water.I walked to the end where the Skagit spills into the Sound.Flocks of Red winged blackbirds spooked 3 great blue herons.Could hear many more birds but could not get a visual.Walking back to the parking lot saw a golden-crowned kinglet and a white throated sparrow at very close distances.Back at the parking lot had a great view of the Great horned owl on her nest.On the side of the road a few Brewers blackbirds.Further along Fir island road stopped at the wildlife viewing area.In the field was a flock of Widgeon and a Eurasion amongst the.A marsh harrier working the field and on some small trees 2 imature eagles.Also working the field a short eared owl.In the water 3 golden eyes some green winged teal and in the adjacent field a large noisy flock of snow geese being watched by 2 mature eagles with a nest. further along the road made a final stop and oberved 3 black
plovers and perhaps a California Gull.A great day and a gem of a place to visit.But time may be running out for Wiley Slough as there are plans to remove the levies and return it to it's natural habitat.Good for wild life not so good for us.
MarkGirling in Woodridge
markgirling at yahoo.com


---------------------------------
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.