Last weekend I went out to see if our swans had returned and I did see them flyby but it was to dark to get a good look. So this afternoon I went out again to see if they were going to be a little more cooperative this time and they were. 11 Tundra and 4 Trumpeter. A nice start. Hopefully we will get a few more through the winter. I was hoping to get a Short-eared Owl as we don't have one for Lewis County's year list. I had one probable but not good enough for a record. There were 3 Bald eagles in the fields where i was looking and hundreds of ducks too far away to ID. As I was leaving I saw a flock of geese land and stopped to see and picked up Cackling and Greater White-Fronted Geese.

The best bird for the day has to be a lone Rough Legged Hawk. I turned in to a turn off and was about to get out when I looked out the windshield. The hawk was sitting about 40-50 ft. in front of me on a carcus. He sat there for several minutes eyeballing me trying to see if I was a threat. He then flew to a short snag then up to a couple taller trees and then after about 10 minutes he flew away. Quite a thrill.

Roger Moyer
Chehalis, Wa