Most Birders drive past the Elma/Satsop area on their way to the more exciting locations of Ocean Shores and Westport. But this area is worth at least a brief stop especially in winter. Thousands of waterfowl spend the winter on the farms and ponds along with hundreds of sparrows and raptors.

Birds of the area

Winter: Waterfowl, including; Canada Geese, Mallards, Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck, Pintail, Bufflehead, Northern Shovelers, Gadwall, Mergansers, and Trumpeter Swans. Redhead and Canvasback are both uncommon but may be seen. Mourning Dove and Scrub Jay are becoming fairly common residents. Red-tailed Hawks are common but Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, American Kestrel, Cooper's, Sharp-shinned and Rough-legged Hawks are all possible as well.

On the 1999 Christmas Bird Count a Northern Mockingbird and a possible Clay-colored Sparrow were both seen. Rusty Blackbird was seen in December 1999.

In winter expect to find plenty of ducks in the area. Hunting is fairly common use of the farms during season so expect to see a lot of waterfowl in the air.

Where to go

Highway 12 - North Blockhouse road has turned up a couple of rarities in 1999. A possible Clay-colored or Chipping Sparrow were seen in January and in December Ruth and Pat Sullivan found a Rusty Blackbird. Another good road to check out is Dunlap road. Scan past the farms on the right of the road to find waterfowl, including Trumpeter Swans.

Elma - Vance Creek County park is a nice park to stop and check for waterfowl and warblers. There are multiple ponds on both sides of the road. Just South of the first parking lot is an Osprey nest. Walk along Waldrip and 12th St in Elma. Birds to look for here include sparrows and Western Scrub Jays. Red-breasted Sapsuckers, American Kestrel, and even a Northern Mockingbird (Jan 99) have also been seen here. Faiground road along the south side of the fairgrounds has been a reliable spot to find Western Scrub Jays.

Brady Loop Road - On Hwy 12 Between Elma and Montesano there is an exit for Brady. Take the South exit (an intersection, not a off-ramp) to Brady Loop Rd. There is a sign with a map showing the loop at the end of the short road. Falcons and hawks are commonly seen in the trees and on the telephone poles. Watch for ducks and shorebirds whereever water is available (seasonally variable). Swans are often seen on the farms during winter.

Satsop - The settling ponds created for the Nuclear Power Plant attract thousands of waterfowl during the winter.

 

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