I believe Andy is not just telling us about the Yakima Center, but is also
trying to get our interest up in checking other high elevation riparian
sites for migrants. Much of the east side migration occurs at relatively
high elevations. This includes many birds we often associate with lower
elevations earlier in the season.

As an additional note, birders should know that Hammond's Flycatchers have
recently completed their pre-migration molt and are especially distinctive.
They're often mistaken for "Western" Flycatchers at this time of year, and
can't be confused with Dusky who molt after migration.

--Jerry Tangren
<tangren at wsu.edu>

>Andy Stepniewski has been reporting a fascinating series of sightings and
>experiences from the Yakima Training Center over the last many months. Is
>this property accessible to the average birder? Something makes me think
>that a permit would be required or that access is limited in some other
>way. Andy, could you fill us in on what parts of the training center are
>accessible and under what limitations? I'm sure this is something that I
>should know, but I just can't remember what has been said about it.
>
>Thanks,
>Jane Hadley
>Seattle
>jhadle at halcyon.com