At Woodland Bottoms on Saturday afternoon, 28 Jan 2012. In field west of the railroad and just north of the Lewis River (along Kuhns Road) we encountered 21 skittish Great Egrets. (Not at all calm like the birds at Ridgefield NWR River ?S? Auto Tour Loop.)
We spent considerable time watching very interesting loons along the rough gravel dike access road that passes upstream under the Railroad bridge at the bank of the Lewis River. These birds were in both Cowlitz and Clark counties. Sent poor photos off for confirmation of species. This area of the dike road is more safely accessed off S. Pekin Rd. and following the gravel dike road west. If the ?directismo? right turn upslope off S. Pekin Rd. onto the dike is too much for you, follow the paved road upstream to the WDFW fishing access and dead end. Upon returning make the at-grade entry to the left onto the dike road. The dike road is wide enough to pass on and even turn around on without making the somewhat rough passage beneath the railroad bridge.
John and Loraine Allinger
Hockinson (Birding in Cowlitz County)