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Margaret Waddell 4/29/25 Margaret Waddell 4/29/25

Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge

A ride through the “S” unit of Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge, to me, is never a disappointment.

There is a feeling of peace and tranquility, when you stop to think about the history and are aware of the present.

Yellow-rumped Warbler
This photo was taken in February of this year.
One of the most common and widespread warblers.
About the size of a chickadee, with a large head, sturdy bill and long tail. In summer, they are gray with white wing flashes and yellow on the sides, face and rump. Males are more vibrantly colored.

Yellow-headed blackbird
Stunning and unmistakable blackbird. Males are black with a golden-yellow head and white patch on the wing. Females are all dark brown with messy yellow on the head and breast. Not as abundant as the Red-winged Blackbirds out at the refuge.

Least Sandpiper
Tiny brownish sandpiper. At all ages, most easily distinguished from other small sandpipers by darker, more brownish coloration.

Dunlin on left, Least Sandpiper on right. Shows the size is similar.

Long-billed Dowitcher
Plump, medium-sized shorebird with very long bill. Extremely similar to Short-billed Dowitcher, and often flocks with it.

Great Egret
Large, lanky, long-necked white heron.

Great Egret
They can grow to over 4 ft tall and have a wingspan of more than 50 inches. During breeding season, they develop long plumes on their backs and bright green facial skin.

American Bittern catching a bullfrog tadpole.
Bittern tend to be secretive and difficult to see, but occasionally found in the open.

Bittern after his meal. Their movements and slow and methodical.

Wilson’s Snipe
Plump, well-camouflaged shorebird that blends into wet meadows and marshes.
Long bill and short legs.

Margaret Waddell 4/26/25 Margaret Waddell 4/26/25

Our Neighborhood Wildlife

Neighborhood birds

Canadian Geese

Every year Canada Geese show up to nest in our neighborhood pond areas. We usually have somewhere around 6-8 broods. I counted about 20 chicks yesterday from 6 broods.

Lifespan of Canadian goose is 10-24 years (in the wild)

Males are 7.1-14 lbs females are 5.5-12 lbs

Wingspan 4.2- 6.1 ft

Clutch size 2-9

Canada geese tend to nest in the same area every year. As do the offspring.

Geese typically mate for life.

2024 Goose Mom or Dad with the goslings out in the rain.

Greater Yellowlegs

Not common in the neighborhood is the yellowlegs shorebird. I happened to spot this guy this week and watched him for a while

Measurements:

Length 11.4-13.o in

Weight 4.5-7.7 oz

Wingspan 23.6 in

Somewhere between a robin and a crow