A very accessible Swainson's Hawk nest can be observed along the lower
Yakima River, between Benton City and Richland. It is in the Horn Rapids
County Park, at the north tip of the big bend of the River. From Hwy 240, 8
mi nw of Richland, turn west on US Res Rd (= Horn Rd) toward Benton City.
About 3/4 mi from the highway junction, enter the park at the signed
entrance, then bear right as the dirt roads branch. Look for a partly dead
cottonwood tree, just 0.1 mi from the entrance.

One of the park roads goes almost directly under the nest, making it
extremely vulnerable to harrassment, so if you visit the site try to keep a
reasonable distance. On Saturday, two chicks were seen, with two adults
feeding them a snake.

A Burrowing Owl was also seen on a fencepost along Hwy 240, 5.8 mi NW of the
same intersection.

Dave Nunnallee
dnun461 at ecy.wa.gov
Bellevue, WA