Leslie Spit & Really Wet Woods

[Trillian Flummox]

Lots of winter ducks continuing at the Spit on Saturday. At least a dozen White-winged Scoters scattered across the western side and a huge group of Common Mergansers in the bay that has the three tern rafts - first time I've ever counted more Commons than Red-breasted. I couldn't find any Cormorants yet but I see that a few were reported on ebird. Other than the gulls and ducks, things were pretty quiet - a Red-tail, a few RWBB's, Chickadees and Tree Sparrows.

I tried venturing into the Wet Woods but aborted the effort due to the wrong footwear! Much of the area is quite flooded, so I'd like to return with boots another day. Met a nice young man who identified a Red-shouldered Hawk for me, and I see on ebird that he also found Horned Larks and an American Woodcock in there - yep, he was wearing rubber boots!  Hopefully these wet conditions will be conducive to a great spring season in the baselands!

-kris ito

[Molebird]

We also went there yesterday and couldn't get over the number of Common Mergansers - never seen so many of these beautiful birds in one place.  Also saw a Northern Shrike, a Red-tail hawk and a very young Coopers hawk. A Norther Mockingbird was laying low near where the Coopers was, quietly "humming" his "spring song of love?".

One pair of Hooded Mergansers, one White Winged Scoter, four pairs of Redheads ... among other birds.  21 species in total.  No sight of a Woodcock or Horned Lark in the Baselands.

[Trillian Flummox]

Snuck back into just the Wet Woods today for a quick visit. Found a beautiful American Woodcock within minutes of my arrival, just past the parking area!  First time I've ever been able to observe one on the ground. Watched him foraging in the water for 10 minutes before he quietly disappeared into the tall grass. Bliss.

-kris  

[Molebird]

kris - would it have been at a particular time of the day ?  Would love to see this bird - for a Lifer.

Thanks

[Trillian Flummox]

I happened to see the Woodcock yesterday at 12:30, but in the past I've seen them early to mid-morning. It was mostly just dumb luck yesterday, but I do remember that I was walking very slowly because I knew that the tall grasses are prime habitat for them. I had actually been standing still for awhile scanning all the wet areas I could see when his movement caught my eye.  The only advice I can think to give is to try searching wet areas from a good distance before you approach. If you go to the Wet Woods, just follow the main path that starts south of the parking lot and you'll see lots of that tall feathery grass to the right - start looking there.

Best of Luck!

-kris