Tweeters,

Cold (37degF), but no wind for Christmas Day at the Ocean Shores sewage treatment plant (STP). My wife spotted a large raptor on the roof of a house directly across the street from the STP: a quick stop and a good view of a ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. The hawk flew to another rooftop, where it was buzzed by a gull. The hawk then flew to another rooftop, where it sat while we entered the STP -- which had the gate open (!). After parking in a visitor spot, we chatted with an STP worker, who said we could stay until she left. Lots of ducks on the first pond to the west of the office, most notably a EURASIAN WIGEON which my wife scoped and said, "What's that duck with the red head?" In addition, a MERLIN was on the chain-link fence that borders the STP on the east side. Altogether a fun stop on Christmas Day! (Looked for the White-winged Crossbills reported to be at Hogan's Corner, but didn't find them. Red Crossbills were in the trees near the community center.)


May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis

avnacrs4birds at outlook.com