Tom Mansfield and I birded the Willapa River Valley, Raymond, Bay Center, Altoona, Julia Bulter Hansen NWR, and Beaver Creek and 2 stops in Cowlitz County before dark. Between Labam and Menlo we backed up to check out 5 Mallards and 1 male Eurasian Wigeon feeding in a wet spot in a farm field. No American Wigeon were present. Seemed very unusual by itself with the Mallards. Perhaps the Mallards are not from North America either and they both could be traveling back to Siberia together. Western Scrub-Jays were present just west of Camp 1 Rd. Before coming into Raymond we followed the Willapa River down on the north-side. We were hoping for goldeneyes swimming around the pilings in the river, but no such luck. Barrow?s Goldeneye is especially tough to find in Pacific County.
West of South Bend we found around 20 Greater White-fronted Geese mixed in with the Cacklers/Canadas . At Bay Center we found an odd marked goose most likely a Greater White-front, but with a lot of white on the face with a dark nape going down the back side of the neck. On Bay Center Road we stopped to scan the muddy flats. 1000 or more Brant were making lots of noise and Marbled Godwits were everywhere. Must not have been in Tokeland. This is a great place to remember when the tide is low to check for future trips.
At Altoona we stopped for lunch. A Red-throated Loon was fishing in the main channel while a Peregrine Falcon sat on a large sand island with the Dunlin flock on a separate island. Both White-winged and Surf Scoters were present and Red-breasted Mergansers. 1000?s of Greater Scaup were everywhere.
A pass through the Julia Butler Hansen NWR produced a Snow Goose and what seemed a large Greater White-fronted Goose again mixed in with the other geese near where the road is closest to the Columbia River. Near the top on Beaver Creek Road we had a Hairy Woodpecker, Red Crossbills, and a Bewick?s Wren.
At Lake Sacajawea in Longview we found a male Eurasian Wigeon feeding with the American Wigeon flock like they?re suppose to be. Getting closer to darkness we made a quick stop at Seaquest State Park and encountered a Barred Owl to end our day off. The Barred Owl was north of the group camping area. Not a bad day with nice weather (starting out at 26 degrees and warming to 60).


Ken Knittle
Vancouver WA 98665
mailto:washingtonbirder at hotmail.com
Washington Birder online
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