Subject: [Tweeters] Birds of Ridgefield NWR
Date: Jan 15 08:52:45 2009
From: gneavoll at comcast.net - gneavoll at comcast.net


GREAT BLUE HERONS (2) engaged in nuptial display at Ridgefield Wednesday a.m. (1/14/09). Two birds, viewed from Rest Lake blind, would face each other with bills pointed skyward, long neck plumes shaking, their wings spread wide and taking long, measured steps. This slow-motion vignette continued for some minutes.

A gorgeous, well-marked HARLAN'S HAWK allowed close views along road by Marker #13, and a beautiful ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK shortly after, near Marker #14. Pair of AMERICAN KESTRELS displaying mating behavior near entrance station.

One group of TUNDRA SWANS near n. end of Rest Lake numbered 80 birds; other large groups throughout refuge. Dense flocks of CACKLING GEESE (minima race) in several places, one such flock extending across road in vicinity of Schwartz Lake.

NORTHERN PINTAILS predominated among scattered numbers of MALLARD, GADWALL, AMERICAN WIGEON, NORTHERN SHOVELER, CINNAMON TEAL (pair), RING-NECKED DUCK, BUFFLEHEAD, COMMON MERGANSER (1 m., 4 f.), HOODED MERGANSER, AMERICAN COOT.

Highlight of morning (besides heron activity) a MINK swimming in channel along road through Oregon Ash woodland w. of blind, sometimes only its head appearing. Other times it would run along half-submerged branches, then poke its head in low-lying depressions and gnarled trunks along way.

George Neavoll
S.W. Portland