by Darcy Thomas

Smith Lake – Photo courtesy Darcy Thomas

A morning of bird watching at Smith Lake in Kila was very successful September 8 with  eleven birders joining Darcy Thomas around the lake. Two were visiting from out-of-state and the youngest was only 5 years old. It was a bit chilly at 41 degrees when we started but warmed up comfortably later in the morning. A haze of smoke surrounded us and gave views of a red sun. 

The group saw 31 species including Canada goose, Trumpeter Swan, Wood Duck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Ring-Necked Duck, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, American Coot, Killdeer, Double-crested Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, American Kestrel, Black-billed Magpie, American Crow, Common Raven, Black-capped Chickadee, Barn Swallow, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Marsh Wren, European Starling, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Yellowthroat, and Western Tanager.