Subject: Black-throated Sparrows
Date: Jul 11 10:45:19 1994
From: SCRAY at delphi.com - SCRAY at delphi.com



On Thurs. 7/7, Andy Stepniewski and I made an evening (5pm-9pm) visit to the
Priest Rapids area of Yakima, Benton, and Kittitas counties. Andy needed a
July trip to this area for his on-going count of birds there.

Although the temperatures were around 90F, the usual high winds were absent.
And although several dozen species were found, the highlight was the plethora
of Black-throated Sparrows. The stretch of road between the community of
Priest Rapids and the Yakima/Kittitas County boundary produced 12 individuals,
with as many as 3 adults being seen and one heard singing at once. The easiest
location to observe them is immediatly west of the west end of Priest Rapids
Dam on a sage and spiney hopsage slope. Follow the road NW from here until you
come to a heavy pipe gate over a cattle guard. Near the dam the road splits.
Take the upper road to the gate.

The birds were active up hill(west) from here. We used Peterson's prerecored
tape to gain the attention of the birds. On several other occasions it was
possible to stop and hear 1 or 2 individuals without the use of a tape.

At several stops at least 2 individuals were heard singing. I wonder if they
are breeding successfully, or at all, in Washington this year.

BT Sparrows were found in all three (Yakima, Benton, Kittitas) counties.
Although I don't have a Delorme Atlas in front of me, I beleive this area can
be found on page 52 or 53 on the west side of the Columbia River. Although the
atlas does not show it, a decent dirt road now replaces the railroad grade
which is shown paralleling the river. This road can be travelled with a car
but a vehicle with somewhat higher clearance will set one's mind more at ease.

Scott Ray


SCRAY at DELPHI.COM