Time: 9:01 AM - 10:00 AM
Weather: Overcast, humid
Northern Flicker (Order: Piciformes Family: Picidae)
The Northern Flicker was on the ground, picking at something in the grass near the trees off of Wahkiakum Lane. It eventually flew up into the trees where I lost track of it.
Marsh Wren (Family: Troglodytidae)
Near the bench overlooking the lake, there was a loud Marsh Wren calling endlessly. It was atop a tall cattail and seemed much louder than usual as I heard it calling from the main trail.
Cinnamon Teal (Family: Anatidae)
There was a lone Cinnamon Teal somewhat hidden in one of the ponds that is slowly being covered with tall grasses as summertime nears.
Wood Duck (Family: Anatidae)
Also near the bench was my first sighting of a lone, male Wood Duck! I've seen photos online and in my field guide, but the Wood Duck was much smaller than I thought it would be. There were 2 birders who came by and I asked if it was truly a Wood Duck, and it was. It was such a cute duck to spot!
Bald Eagle (Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae)
As I left the bench to continue on the trail, I heard what I thought was a Killdeer, and went back and saw a large bird in the trees. It turned out to be the call of the Bald Eagle which had something in its talons, but it was too far away for me to see what it was eating. A crow eventually started swooping down at it, and the Bald Eagle took off. Mid-flight, the crow continued to swoop at the Bald Eagle and even seemed to peck at its rump/tail area! The Bald Eagle took a sudden turn into the tall trees where I lost track of it.
Gadwall (Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae)
American Coot (Order: Gruiformes Family: Rallidae)
I saw 2 American Coot and in my mind, for some reason, my first thought was "Podicipediformes!" which is incorrect. I had to look at my field guide because I always seem to get American Coots, Mergansers, and Pied Billed Grebes mixed up for some reason. But yes, it was indeed an American Coot and there were 2 of them.
Black-capped Chickadee (Family: Paridae)
Cedar Waxwing (Family: Bombycillidae)
Right after seeing the chickadee, I saw a lone Cedar Waxwing sitting at the very top of a branch on a dead tree (I think it was dead). It seemed to be a juvenile, or more specifically, a molting immature.
White Crowned Sparrow (Family: Emerizidae)
Maybe I just never noticed these little birds, but I saw two of them on
the trail. They did not seem to fly away quickly like other small birds.
One of the sparrows continued to peck on the ground/grass while the
second sparrow just stared at me from the trees even though I was
roughly 2 feet away from it!
Common Yellowthroat (Family: Parulidae)
Now, I usually see a Common Yellowthroat near the ponds as it hangs out close to the water near the underbrush of the trees. This time, I saw it on the trail on a short tree and it remained still for quite a long time before it flew off into the brush.
Savannah Sparrow (Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae)
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California Quail (Order: Galliformes Family: Odontophoridae)
A few weeks ago, I thought I had heard what was a California Quail as I was walking back to my car. I went back to the side trail that veers off to the left and is kind of in the middle between two grassy knolls. I heard it again as it called the distinct chi-ca-go chi-ca-go chi-ca-go chi-ca-go call from the grass. A few people walking by and on their bikes passed, which may have scared this shy bird, and I remained for another 10 minutes or so, and heard it well behind me further off near the tall trees. The calls came from the ground and I wish I had seen the quails in person, because apparently, the local European Starlings mimic the California Quail calls. However, I didn't see any European Starlings, and 2 other wonderful birders also came back where we excitedly confirmed that we did hear what sounded like a California Quail. I'll never know but I'll keep an eye out for them now, and I always stop by the grassy knoll area in the hopes I'll see them.
