Wet Woods, April 12, Rusty, Phoebe, Harrier, Common Loon

[rickeckley]

Seemed like more kinds of weather than kinds of birds today in the Wet Woods from 12-3 - gusty winds, hail, sleet, freezing rain, rain, and periods of warm, golden-yellow sunshine.

Highlihgts included:

Rusty Blackbird
Phoebe
Harrier (hunting low over the woods)
Coopers Hawk
Sapsucker
White Throated Sparrow
Song Sparrow
G.C Kinglet
Mockingbird
Raven
Crow
Goldfinch
Common Loon
Shoveler
R.B Merganser
R.N.Grebe
Long-Tailed Duck
Ring-Necked Duck
Coot

[rickeckley]

...correction - not a Shoveler, a Gadwall - sorry, a momentary brain glitch while list making...

Rick

[mr.sharp-photo]

confused.
a common loon IN the wet woods?

[Rotarran]

Perhaps a flyby.

[rickeckley]

Sorry for the confusion, folks.  The Loon was in the Bay off the Unwin Bridge.  I see my regular stop there as part of my Wet Woods trekking, but I suppose it isn't really part of the actual Wet Woods.  The other waterfowl I saw (other than the Gadwall, which were in the wet Woods proper) were by the Unwin bridge.

Rick

[mr.sharp-photo]

just a heads up - and i really hope people read this before heading to the wet woods - this year's going to be a really tough year for people to get around.

there is water at most access points. rubber boots are a must.

the terrain also seems to be a lot more rugged (somehow) this year.

please do not go to the wet woods if you have any mobility or balance issues. you will end up on your ass, or worse. you don't need to be an athlete to go there, but some people who've been there in the past should definitely reconsider going this year.

[mr.sharp-photo]

also, i was there yesterday. really nothing to see. very quiet morning. goldfinches, robins, lots and lots of grackles, the raven. chickadees. nothing more.

[rickeckley]

Yes, it is rougher this year.  I think it's how densely grown the tangles are becoming.  They are literally swallowing some of the once well-worn paths...

Rick