Tweeters,

Yesterday morning I did a brief trip through Eastern Grays Harbor and South Thurston County to see what the first day of spring might turn up. I began the morning at first light at Friends Landing near Montesano and covered that area, Brady Loop Road, Wentzel Slough Road, continuing through Oakville and along the Chehalis and Black Rivers, ending at Mima and Glacial Heritage Prairies. Not a lot to report; numbers of Tree and Violet Green Swallows are ever increasing, as are Turkey Vultures, with 8 at Montesano. There were good mixed flocks of Cackling-type Geese, most waterfowl seemd down in numbers though. The most unusual species encountered included an Adult Northern Shrike and a Eurasian Collared Dove (east end homestead) at Wentzel Slough Road, and 3 to 4 Collared Doves at the 152st farm just SW of Glacial Heritage Prairie. There were also a pair of Western Bluebirds attending a nest box on the west side of Mima Prairie. There were no Sooty Grouse calling at Mima Mounds Preserve (a traditional location) although they were actively calling in the Olympics on Friday. Perhaps they have left the scene, as recent clearing/ thinning has been conducted at the Mima Mounds preserve.

Cheers and good birding...

Bill Shelmerdine, Olympia

mailto: georn1 at hotmail.com

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