Toppenish this year was on 23 December - it was cold, gray and snowy.
Because of the harsh conditions which have been here since 19 November, some
groups of bird species were low: juncos, White-crowned Sparrows in
particular. Less easy to explain were lower than usual numbers of blackbirds
and starlings.

Red-tailed and Rough-legged Hawks were both at all-time highs, however -187
and 23 respectively. Barn Owls with 10 were also an all-time high.

Really exciting were 26132 Mallards, far above the 14-year mean of 3649.
This is attributable to a lot of standing corn (farmers were caught by the
record 19-20 November record snows), recent diversions of Toppenish Creek by
refuge management - resulting in much more open water for ducks in winter
and...possibly a dramatic improvement in North American waterfowl numbers.

New were two American Bitterns and Brown Creeper. One bittern was observed
the following day, hunched in the snow bill pointed skyward about a little
bit of open marsh. This was the third winter bittern record for Yakima County.

Species total was only 76 species, low because an important route - the
natural brushlands and riparian habitats along Dry Creek were not accessible
due to high water which made the numerous fords required along this route
dangerous.

Many thanks to the hardy birders who contributed to the success of this count!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA