Hotline: Lower Columbia Basin
Date: February 24, 1996
Phone: 509-943-OWLS
Compiler: Bob Woodley
Transcribers: Bill and Nancy LaFramboise, wlafra at oneworld.owt.com

Birds reported:

Violet-green Swallow
Thayer's Gull
Dunlin
Eurasian Wigeon
Sandhill Crane
Black-crowned Night-Heron

-transcript

This is the Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society Rare Bird Alert for
February 24, 1996. For any questions regarding LCBAS call Mike Lilga at
946-8966.

On February 15, Nancy LaFramboise observed a Violet-green Swallow above the
pond near the McNary National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. This species
and Tree Swallows should be present locally in small numbers through April.

Dennis Rockwell reported a first winter Thayer's Gull on the ice at Two
Rivers (County) Park (in Kennewick) on February 17. On the following day,
he found 18 Dunlin and 13 Killdeer on the Walla Walla River Delta. On
February 19, the Dunlin number had increased to 25.

Also on 2/19, Dennis Rockwell found a Eurasian Wigeon with about 25 American
Wigeon at Two Rivers Park.

Constituting a very early record, 4 or more Sandhill Cranes were observed by
Tony Greager in the vicinity of Twin Bridges in West Richland. Four birds
were actually seen but others were heard.

A bird roosting in the trees along the little creek behind the 1100 Jadwin
Building in Richland on 2/23 was likely a Black-crowned Night-Heron. The
habitat is suitable for this species. The observer who works in the
building is anonymous as her name was inadvertently erased. Sorry.

Observations of northbound migrants would be a help to this alert.

To report your own sightings, please give your name, phone number and
sightings after the tone. Thank you.


Bill and Nancy LaFramboise
Richland, WA
wlafra at oneworld.owt.com