We've had a Common Loon staying on Fawn Lake in Mason Country for about ten days. The lake was stocked recently and I suspect the loon is enjoying the banquet. One year a loon stayed here about the same amount of time. I started to wonder if it was going to nest here, but one day I was out jogging and heard a second loon calling as it flew overhead. The loon on the lake immediately took off and joined the flying loon, and I never saw them again. It was as if they had made plans to meet up at Fawn Lake.

Today I noticed the call of at least one Pacific Slope Flycatcher in the woods here; it's nice to hear them back. We've had them try to nest twice atop our electric meter on the house, but each time the nest failed. Earlier in the spring the woods tinkled with the call of Pacific Wrens, but I haven't heard them in a while; perhaps it's nesting time.

Bald Eagles and Ospreys have been fishing the lake each day, and this year a Common Raven has visited the area several times, evoking a noisy response from the crows.

A Hooded Merganser continues to incubate 11 eggs, which we expect to hatch in just over two weeks.

Lee Rentz
lee at leerentz.com
Shelton, WA