Subject: [Tweeters] Oakland Bay Preserve, Mason County
Date: Jul 23 18:57:48 2011
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net - wheelermombi at comcast.net





Hi Tweeters,

?

In an attempt to become even more pedantic, I went on a Capital Land Trust plant ID field trip today to Oakland Bay Preserve in Mason County.? The 80+ acre property includes second growth forest, a fresh water creek, and shoreline along Oakland Bay.? It's a very pretty area less than 10 miles outside of Shelton.? The property is slated to be opened to the public later this year, and should be a wonderful location for scoping water birds in the winter and passerines, etc. year round.? For me, the best sighting of the day was a flock of BAND-TAILED PIGEONS consisting of at least 25 individuals, but probably exceeding 30.? Also seen or heard were a pair of PILEATED WOODPECKERS, N. FLICKER, SWAINSON'S THRUSH, PACIFIC-SLOPE FLYCATCHER, 1 N. ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW (the only swallow of the day), BELTED KINGFISHER, OSPREY,?and several CASPIAN TERNS.? Does anyone know if there is a small breeding colony of this latter species out that way?? The Trust oversees a property on the other side of the bay and the land steward mentioned that the terns have been around all summer.? Anyway, it was nice to explore a bit of Mason County?to which?I had not had previous access.

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Good birding,

?

Lonnie Somer

Olympia

wheelermombi at comcast.net