Meanwhile, over in the Methow Valley (in northcentral Washington,
Okanogan County):

The migratory bird count is coming up May 11. We'd love to have
help either in the Methow watershed or the larger Okanogan County if
anyone feels inspired to come over. Known bird species for the
watershed currently number 215, with a few more to be added as soon
as someone confesses to having seen them.

On May 10 a volunteer group along with Forest Service personnel
hope to float stretches of the Methow, Twisp and Chewuch Rivers to
get baseline data on harlequin ducks in the area. The rivers will be up
and somewhat dangerous at that time, so participants should be
experienced boaters (kayak, canoe, raft).

Our '4th of July Butterfly Count' is on June 22 (practice our IDing-day)
and 23 (count day). Help Needed.

A new user friendly quarterly journal of Methow natural history is out,
cleverly titled 'The Methow Naturalist.' The first issue is free to all.
There is even an article on birds in it (migrant songbirds in ponderosa
forests).

We are impatiently awaiting the arrival of our migratory friends; if you
see any please direct them this way. I saw my first Methow bluebirds
(mountain and Western together) on 3/17, first violet-green swallows
3/17, tree swallows 3/24, whitecrowned sparrows 3/28, wood ducks
4/1 (they are scarce here), ruby-crowned kinglets 4/3, yellow-rumped
warblers 4/8. Meanwhile bald eagles and northern shrikes have more
or less left us in the dust- last bald eagle was seen 3/26 (they were
relatively numerous here this winter, with 19 counted at one roost), n.
shrikes were common 10 days ago but I are scarce now.

For info on the above contact me, Dana Visalli, at 509 996-3996 PO
Box 175 Winthrop, WA 98862.