-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* January 26, 1996
* IDWA9601.26

-birds mentioned

Red-shouldered Hawk
Gyrfalcon
Snowy Owl
Short-eared Owl
Long-eared Owl
Glaucous Gull
Black-backed Woodpecker
Varied Thrush
Rusty Blackbird
Western Bluebird
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch,
Snow Bunting


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
Date: January 26, 1996
Phone: (208) 882-6195
Compiler: Kas Dumroese
Transcriber: Dale Goble
gobled at uidaho.edu


This is Kas Dumroese with the northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon bird hotline.

A first-year RED-SHOULDERED HAWK was seen by several birders this
past week at McNary NWR near the Tri-cities, Washington. First seen by
Jay Degrosslier (sp?) on the 14th, the bird was photographed this past
week. Last report to the hotline was the 24th. To get to it, take US 12
east from Pasco toward Burbank. The bird was just north of the PDQ gas
station off Humorist Road; Francisco's Restaurant is on the corner. You
can also take Mary's (sp?) Road off US 12. The bird was especially seen
along the road which connects Washington 124 and Humorist Road.
Humorist, US 12, Maple, and South Lake form a block and the bird has
been saw all around this block. Look for it on the telephone poles or
soaring with Red-tails. It's very approachable if you stay in your car.
Washington DeLorme p. 40, right at the letter c.

Mike and MerryLynn Denny report a female RUSTY BLACKBIRD in
beautiful fall plumage west of College Place, Washington, today, January
26. The bird was in a flock of 1000+ Brewer's and Red-winged
Blackbirds off Last Chance Road which is off US 12. Washington
DeLorme p. 41, d-5.

Scott Ray reports a GYRFALCON January 24 west southwest of Moses
Lake, Washington. He saw it just east of the intersection of "I" SW and
"4" SW which would be in the South Columbia Basin Wildlife Area. He
also mentioned there have been reports of up to 4 Gyrs in this area
recently. Washington DeLorme p. 68, d-3. It looks like you can take I-90
west from Moses Lake to Dodson Road (aka "C" SW) and follow it south
to "4" SW. Turn west to "I" SW.

Four SNOWY OWLS were reported by Randy Hill and Bill and Nancy
LaFramboise on January 21 just northeast of Moses Lake. The birds were
along "L" NE, between Wheeler and Nelson Roads, all sitting on top of
irrigation lines. That would be just east of the airport. Washington
DeLorme p. 69, c-7.

Another SNOWY OWL was reported from Douglas County, Washington. It
has been seen fairly regularly along Logan Road (aka "F" Road) about 0.5
miles north of Lamoine Road. Washington DeLorme p. 84, c-1.

A single, first-winter GLAUCOUS GULL was seen January 22 in Coeur
d'Alene, Idaho by John Shipley at the Ramsey Transfer Station. Last
week, Shirley Sturts and Gordon and Pam Comrie reported 4 Glaucous
Gulls here. Take exit 11 off I-90 and head north about 0.5 mile to the
station.

John also reports a single SHORT-EARED OWL at the Coeur d'Alene
Airport in Hayden today, January 26. The bird was between Kootenai
Electric and the airport.

Mike and MerryLynn Denny saw 6 SHORT-EARED OWLS today along
Eureka Flat northeast of Prescott, Washington. The birds were west of
Clyde along Babcock and Sheffler Roads. Washington DeLorme p. 41,
a-5.

In that same general area were 11 SNOW BUNTINGS according to the
Denny's. Seen today, the flock was 6 miles west of Clyde along Sheffler
Road. Washington DeLorme p. 41, a-5 through p. 40, a-4.

East from Clyde, the Denny's report 6 LONG-EARED OWLS along Smith
Springs Road. Washington DeLorme p. 41, a-6.

Mike and MerryLynn also saw 15 GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES just
west of College Place, Washington today. The birds were along Ireland
Road which is north of US 12 about 2.5 miles west of Last Chance Road.
Washington DeLorme p. 41, d-5.

A male BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER has been routinely feeding at a
home in the Twin Lakes area about 12 miles northwest of Coeur d'Alene.
This past week, a female joined him. If your interested, call Paul DeLuca
at 208-664-6634.

This past week, the Moscow-Pullman area has received a tremendous
amount of snow: 24+ inches on Paradise Ridge and reports of 36+ at
the base of Moscow Mountain. Subsequently, there were many reports
of VARIED THRUSH in and around Moscow. Wendy Keen (sp?) saw one
on the 24th near the Health Center on the University of Idaho campus,
and Dave Holick reports 2-3 between the UI Admin Building and Home
Economics. Dave also has one coming regularly to his feeder and saw
another near Robinson Park, northeast of Moscow.

A couple other unusual sightings for Moscow, considering the non-stop
snow for the past week, include 10 WESTERN BLUEBIRDS on Moscow
Mountain and 4 male RED-WINGED BLACKBIRDS at my feeder on
Paradise Ridge today.

Considering the snowy, windy weather on the Palouse, you could have
told me hell was freezing over and I would have believed it. I now know
it's true -- Mike Denny called in sightings with DeLorme atlas page
numbers and coordinates. Thanks Mike!

Good birding!