Hello Tweeters,
I followed the direction by Paul Hicks today to finding especial the kites
he had on Gibson Rd inThurston Co.It was late 11.30 PM already to start of
with,but this place was close from the freeway.I had great weather,and I
started on the 175th .I parked at the Gate and could not detect anything at
all.There where" NO TREPASSING "sign,so I walked in a bit on the high point
,and in a distance I could see a Kite flying in a far distance away from
me,also a A.Kestrel hunting.I got back to the car and got my scope ,since it
seems that most of the birds was far off.As I came back walking further out
on the prairie habitat a flock of Pipits flying erratic over the field about
6 birds .I scoped to the left and discover a Bald Eagle perching on a
fence,also quite way out.While I was standing way out where there is some
debris of a hut I saw a male Northern Harrier beautiful in gray plumage and
a white rump ,and further out a Female Northern Harrier both was hunting .I
than walked over to the right side of the road and saw the white sign,to let
you know that there are Storm water ponds being there.I walked this on the
paved road quite way out,but I felt save since all the cars was going by,no
one stopped and ask what I was doing out there.Coming close to the pond I
finally saw the Sandhill Crane ,kind of hard to see at one point since the
landscape is uneven,This bird flew further out past the dried up ponds Thurs
the other exit 178th street what is the same habitat.My best bird was on the
end when a Adult White-tailed Kite came from the area where the Sandhill
Crane went.This bird also was hunting flying and than hovering for a
while,at one time being direct over my head,and did not care me standing and
watching in awe ?I been seeing a lot of Kites,but never ,ever I saw a Kite
that close flying by me.Where was my camera,darn don't I ever learn,leaving
the camera in the car is negative thinking.I went further down the road on
Gibson,and had absolutely nothing after that,also on Melville road I had no
birds .Driving back to 1-5 on Tilley road seeing the beautiful fall colors
of the many trees.Thank you Paul to let us all know about this fantastic
area to bird.Next time I like to explore the area more.
It was a short but great relaxing birding

Cheers Ruth Sullivan