Trip Report by Thomas Plath

Once again Reifel refuge did not disappoint. A dozen people enjoyed each other’s company and nice birds at the sanctuary. The first stop was to view the Great Horned Owl roosting in a cedar spotted along the entrance road. One turned to two as the male was located roosting near the female. A small group of immature Barn Swallows were foraging over the parking lot and feeders at the side of the entrance building attracted a few Anna’s Hummingbirds, including some nice males.  Excellent close views were had. The wintering adult, breeding plumaged Black-crowned Night Heron was showing well at its regular roost site beside Fuller’s Slough. A bittern had been hanging out along the west dike so the group zigzagged through the inner ponds towards the dike. The masses of grunting, breeding plumaged Northern Shoveler were a spectacular sight. No bittern today but along the dike a Northern Shrike perched, and near the tower Brian Self, a long-time refuge volunteer had a roosting Northern Saw-whet Owl in the scope. Thirty-nine species were tallied during the walk.