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The Daily Bucket: Chase Lake Redux [1]

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Date: 2023-01-10

Chase Lake

Chase Lake is a pond and wetland area in my town of Edmonds, WA. Chase Lake serves as a stormwater detention pond but also attracts birdlife, especially winter waterfowl. It’s not a big secret spot. It gets regular birding visits from the local birding condescenti from what I see on eBird. When I visit, I’m usually the only one there, which is probably why I like it. I did a Bucket on Chase Lake last April. That Bucket here, Chase Lake and the Uncommon Dandelion, provides a little more background. This Bucket is a winter update and more or less a filler for a dark day. That said, I’ll keep it short with a few photos lacking any drama. No ducks will be harmed by marauding eagles.

THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS. WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.

I spotted one lone Great Blue Heron who apparently had the whole place to itself. I’m guessing that was its preference since there probably wasn’t enough habitat space for two herons.

I tried to carefully approach but it took off to another part of the pond.

At its new spot I could get closer. It was in a spot where no human would tread and it probably knew it.

When I first arrived, there was a pair of Hooded Mergansers on the pond. They soon found a way to disappear when I showed up. So, no photos. But there were Mallards. They’re not particularly shy.

Little birds, too.

Song Sparrow

Black-capped Chickadee

There were Chestnut-backed Chickadees up in the Douglas fir trees working the cones.

Varied Thrush

The Varied Thrush comes down out of the Cascades to the lowlands in winter. This is truly a beautiful bird and I look forward to seeing them every winter. This year appears to be a banner year for the Varied Thrush. I’ve seen quite a few this winter, as many as 10 at one time in my yard.

Yellow-rumped Warbler, way cropped because it was far away. Words and Birds was kind enough to ID it for me. The yellow rump is there but not readily obvious. This is likely a first winter bird from the description and picture I saw in the Sibley guide.

The county had done some trimming and also did some blackberry removal. Blackberry is a scourge on the land here, but the berries are good. Kudos to the Snohomish County crew.

Stub from a fast growing tree like a willow or alder.

That’s all I have for today. I’ll be back to Chase Lake before too long. What’s going on in your natural worlds?

Thanks for reading the Daily Bucket.

Phenology is how we take earth’s pulse.

We discuss what we see in each Bucket.

We value all observations, as we ponder life’s cycles.

Now it’s your turn.

Please comment about your own natural area, and include photos if possible. We love photos!

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/1/10/2141224/-The-Daily-Bucket-Chase-Lake-Redux

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