The ducks and geese are finally back to the waters around Chehalis and Centralia. Jerry Swena and I took some time to bird the waters around this area and we weren't disappointed. The best place was the Trans-Alta Steam plant. There were the usual species of ducks Mallard, A. Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Shoveler, N. Pintail and Green-winged Teal. The high light of day was finding 4 species of Geese in one flock. We had a large mixed flock of Cackeling and Canada Geese along with a single Snow Goose and 16 G.W. Geese.

After we finished at this we went out to Pleasant Valley Rd. to look for Short-eared Owls. We dipped on that species. This used to be a reliable location for them. But in recent years they have been absent for the most part. We located a lone Snow Goose mixed in with the 1000+ Canada/Cacklers.

We did get a good number of raptors for the day. Red-tailed, Coopers, and Sharp-shined Hawks, N. Harrier and a Bald Eagle.


Cheers and good birding.


Roger Moyer

Chehalis, WA