Subject: [Tweeters] Ridgefield today; Lewis's Woodpecker
Date: Oct 15 19:07:36 2011
From: wheelermombi at comcast.net - wheelermombi at comcast.net




Hi Tweeters,

I led a Black Hills Audubon field trip today to Ridgefield NWR. We tallied more than 50 species of birds for the day. Here's the highlights:

Carty Unit: The best bird of the day (for me, at least) was a LEWIS'S WOODPECKER first spotted by the sharp-eyed Sam Merrill on a snag along the far side of the pond down slope from the plank house; GREAT EGRET, several SANDHILL CRANES; SHARP-SHINNED HAWK; FOX SPARROW 9FOS for me); both species of KINGLETS; plus many of the expected species for this time of year

River S Unit: WILSON'S SNIPE; GREAT HORNED OWL (near the photo blind); a singing WESTERN MEADOWLARK; WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH; more SANDHILL CRANES; and huge numbers of arriving CANADA GEESE. We watched as they flew overhead in wave after wave of v-formations. Even though this is a common species, just the shear number of them was very impressive.

It was a good day with a fun group; nice way to spend a Saturday.

Good birding,

Lonnie Somer
Olympia
wheelermombi at comcast.net