On Tuesday I spent four and a half hours covering the east end of Riffe Lake. The migrants have tapered off and moved on, but the grebes, loons, and gulls still remain in good numbers. I had 6 PIED-BILLED GREBES, 18 HORNED GREBES, 1 RED-NECKED GREBE (winter plumage), and 38 WESTERN GREBES. I could not pick out a Clark's for five grebe day. The lighting was good, but more than half were to far out to pick out something different. In the short grass there were 12 GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GEESE and 2 CACKLERS. As for ducks, I had 14 AMERICAN WIGEON, 2 MALLARDS, 5 GREEN-WINGED TEAL, 3 BUFFLEHEADS, and 18 HOODED MERGANSERS.
A good portion of the time out there was checking over loons. I had 8 COMMON LOONS and 1 possible PACIFIC LOON based on structure, smaller in size, darker, and rounded head. The lighting was not the best where this loon was, so the shadows could give it a different look. It hung out along the south shore of the lake, which was still a little bit away. I really need to get a better look, before I can call it for sure. CALIFORNIA GULLS still remain the dominant gull, but in the mix I found 3 RING-BILLED GULLS and 4 HERRING GULLS.
I also had only 1 AMERICAN PIPIT, 1 NORTHERN HARRIER, and 2 BALD EAGLES. The best bird of the day was a PYGMY OWL. It was in a puddle in the parking lot at the wildlife access area, and then flew up in an Alder tree. Later, I made a quick stop at Mossyrock Park to check on sparrows. I was hoping to find the White-throated back, or another unusual sparrow, but only found SONGS.


Dave Hayden
dtvhm AT nwrain.com
Centralia, WA