Andy Stepniewski wrote:

>Noteworthy in the shrub-steppe zone was a chance find of a spring near the
>height of land between Squaw and Hanson Creeks with a "weedy" zone below it
>(several hectares) which was teeming with sparrows and larks, mostly
>juveniles. Brewer's (90) and Vesper Sparrows (80+) plus Horned Larks (35+)
>made up this contingent, clearly attracted to this wet zone. Several
>censuses of typical breeding habitats for the above-mentioned species 20
>July showed a low density of all passerines as compared to six weeks ago. As
>on the Hanford Site, there appears to be a post-breeding movement from most
>of the shrub-steppe zone for a number of passerines to local zones where
>feeding opportunities might be more favorable. Typically, these are ravines
>or borders of wet areas such as springs. Western Meadowlarks are in this
>category too, as are Loggerhead Shrikes.

>No Sage or Lark Sparrows were noted at this wet area; these species were
>still in their usual breeding habitats which are the lower, drier
>communities of the shrub-steppe zone.

I've seen this many times, including the same day (7/20) along Rock Island
and Douglas creeks in Douglas Co., east of East Wenatchee. Differing from
Andy's observations, there were lots of Lark Sparrows there, too. In fact,
I have found that species as one of the most characteristic birds in
riparian areas in late summer, moving there from the surrounding sagebrush
in numbers. It's a great time of year to look at sparrows, with all the
streaky-breasted juveniles around. You're almost forced to recognize them
by size, shape, and behavior.

We were in the area looking for dragonflies, but the birds cried out for
attention. Yellow-breasted Chats and Lazuli Buntings were in full song at
midday on Douglas Creek, and a number of other species were singing. Is
this a late year, or is it an especially good year, so birds are attempting
second broods that might not otherwise do so? There's so much we don't
know.

We saw Red-naped Sapsuckers at Rock Island Creek where it crosses Indian
Camp Rd., and not until today did I look at the Breeding Bird Atlas map and
realize they're not even on the map as a breeder in Douglas Co. I think it
was Dan Stephens who wrote about these neat riparian areas earlier.

Jameson Lake had female and young Barrow's Goldeneyes, also not shown in
the BBA as breeding in Douglas Co. We gotta do another year, Mike! But
the real thrill were the White-throated Swifts, which were foraging low
over the lake with 4 species of swallows, probably because of fairly strong
winds. When one of those suckers comes by at eye level and just 10' away,
you feel like a banjo string being strummed.

Dennis Paulson, Director phone 206-756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax 206-756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416