Subject: [Tweeters] Steigerwald NWR-11 July
Date: Jul 12 10:59:03 2011
From: Andy Stepniewski - steppie at nwinfo.net


Hello Tweeters,



A new interpretive trail at Steigerwald Lake NWR beckoned. This is the
Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail. It is a 2.75-mile loop through big areas
of wet meadow, marsh, pond, and tall black cottonwood riparian habitat. The
star of the show were Purple Martins, perhaps 12 in all. A martin house of
white gourds was occupied by these swallows as well tall cottonwood snags
along the trail. Because it was a warm day, the martins, for the most par,
were out on seemingly distant foraging jaunts. We were surprised at how
quickly they materialized out of the sky to defend their nests when a
harrier happened by creating quite a commotion around their "apartment"
house.



Our list of over 50 species, given we were touring this area during the
midday lull, especially pleased us. The refuge pamphlet depicts an American
Bittern on its front. After walking the loop trail, we can say advertising
this species is no exaggeration. We saw at least seven birds. Most were
flying about low over the marshes, but others were quite out in the open,
unusual for this species. We cannot think of a better site in Washington for
viewing this furtive heron.



We were witness to a sad "Wildlife Moment" when a fawn Blacktail Deer, came
dashing along the trail. As it rounded a bend, it came within a few feet of
us. Startled, it veered off and collided with a low barb wire fence.
Slinking under the fence and climbing to the dike road, we could see its
muzzle was gashed and bleeding freely. The fawn made off to a bramble patch
where it disappeared. We saw no sign of its mother.



Another memorable natural moment came when we shared with passerbys
brilliant scope views of basking Painted Turtles. This is one well-named
beast!


Species list:


Canada Goose 12
Mute Swan 1
Wood Duck 3
Gadwall 2
Mallard 10
Ring-necked Duck 2
Pied-billed Grebe 1
Double-crested Cormorant 1
American Bittern 7
Great Blue Heron 3
Turkey Vulture 6
Osprey 2
Bald Eagle 1
Northern Harrier 3
Red-tailed Hawk 2
American Kestrel 1
Virginia Rail 1
Sora 2
Killdeer 1
Ring-billed Gull 15
Belted Kingfisher 1
Downy Woodpecker 1
Northern Flicker 1
Western Wood-Pewee 2
Willow Flycatcher 8
Steller's Jay 1
Western Scrub-Jay 5
American Crow 5

Northern Rough-winged Swallow 6
Purple Martin 12
Tree Swallow 15
Barn Swallow 5
Black-capped Chickadee 10
Bewick's Wren 1
House Wren 5
Marsh Wren 3
Swainson's Thrush 6
American Robin 3
European Starling 150
Cedar Waxwing 10
Yellow Warbler 3
Common Yellowthroat 30
Spotted Towhee 3
Savannah Sparrow 1
Song Sparrow 5
Black-headed Grosbeak 2
Lazuli Bunting 4
Red-winged Blackbird 10
Brown-headed Cowbird 2
Bullock's Oriole 3
House Finch 1
Pine Siskin 5
American Goldfinch 10



Andy and Ellen Stepniewski

Wapato WA

steppie at nwinfo.net