Stinky birding

One of the best places to find birds is at sewage treatment plants.  Usually the plants have a series of large ponds where water circulates and matter settles.  Of course, if the wind is blowing toward you, you'll get a nose full of digesting sewage. Most birds lack a sense of smell, so it doesn't matter to them one way or another.
Gulls, ducks and shorebirds all love sewage treatment ponds.  It's a close-by place to go birding for anyone who lives in a populated area.  You just have to find your local treatment plant.  A very enterprising Oregonian wrote a book a few years ago.  "A Birders Guide to the Sewage Ponds of Oregon, or Creatures from the Brown Lagoons" was written by William Tice.  It may be out of print by now so I cherish my beat up soft bound copy.
Why sewage ponds?  In the winter on the west side of the Cascades, these ponds provide a good measure of sheltered, nutrient-rich water for the birds.  You won't find too many interesting birds in the summer: there are more tempting spots during the warm weather.  But once fall migration begins and the temperature falls, head on out to a sewage pond.  The Warrenton and Astoria Oregon ponds are reliable for a good mix of ducks and a few shorebirds this time of year.  And it's always good to look closely, as many rarities are found at these ponds.
Yesterday, the Warrenton pond was taken over by a huge flock of Northern Shoveler ducks. They are dabblers rather than divers.  More about that later.  They earned their name by having very large, 'spatulate' bills that are longer than their heads if looked at from the side.   'Spatulate' means kind of flattened and wide at the far end.  That doesn't sound pretty, but it is.  The males have a lovely green head, white breast and rich rusty sides.  They're a big duck, measuring on an average of 19 inches long.  An extra bonus at a sewage pond can be the raptors that perch on the sides, watching for a weak or small bird that would be suitable for lunch.  Always good to scan the trees when you first get there.
There is some etiquette involving birding at sewage ponds.  If it says 'no trespassing', then don't.  If there is someone there, ask if it's OK to go beyond fences.   We birders want to leave a good impression, so that we can return many times.  Sometimes, due to regulations around communicable diseases, they have to say no.  A good scope can still help you see most of what's out on a pond anyway.

So, how and where do all those ducks cooperate in a pond and find the particular food that they prefer?  Who dabbles and who dives?  It's truly an ingenious setup. More on that coming up.