This morning while crossing the bridge at Bachelor Slough I spotted a
Sage Sparrow at the west end. Although this is a closed area of
Ridgefield NWR, history indicates many of the birds that appear on
Bachelor Island often make it over to the River S Unit auto tour
route. Watch especially at Stop #4, through the gate across Bower
Slough, where sparrows often forage on the ground. Also near the
bridge on the closed portion of River S Unit, a pair of Black Phoebes
seems interested in the southern location where nesting occurred last
year. The northern nest location where phoebes fledged two broods,
had only one bird seen, but it came off last year's nest. We will
wait for warmer and drier weather before checking status.

Yellow-headed Blackbirds are on territory at S Quigley Lake, where a
female-type Surf Scoter continues (a male was seen yesterday as
well). Another Yellow-headed Blackbird is holding a territory right
next to the road at S Big Lake between Stop #11 and #12.

At Post Office Lake, accessible to view from the north end of Lower
River Road past Vancouver Lake, a pair of N Rough-winged Swallows came
off the cut bank right at the parking area. A Common Loon was on PO
Lake and a Caspian Tern flew over the river.