Sunday was "Birdathon" day for me and 5 others. The group included Karen,
John, Lynn, Mary, and Tom (our leader) and me.

Our first stop was the rest area east of CleElum. There we saw several Red
Crossbills, one Red-breasted Nuthatch, one Pine Siskin, an "Audubon's"
Warbler, Juncos, Robins and a Turkey Vulture.

Then on to Robinson Canyon. Birds seen there included a gorgeous Golden
Eagle, Mountain Chickadees, Yellow and Nashville Warblers, Lazuli Buntings,
an Olive-sided Flycatcher, Western Tanagers, Warbling and Solitary Vireos
and a Calliope Hummingbird.

We moved on to the Umtanum Recreational Area in Yakima canyon for lunch and
more birding. There we added Goldfinches, a Lewis' Woodpecker, a beautiful
Yellow-breasted Chat and Canyon & Rock Wrens (which we only heard).

Around 3 pm we hit Umtanum Road and saw both bluebirds, Bullock's Orioles,
House Wrens, a Say's Phoebe, Sage Thrashers and Brewer's Sparrows (what a
wonderful song they have!).

After Umtanum Rd we drove through Ellensburg and got on US 10. We stopped
at some cliffs that have had nesting Prairie Falcons in the past. NO falcon
but we did see our only Black-headed Grosbeak (male). At the dipper bridge
we picked up a few more birds including the Dipper and a Spotted Sandpiper.
In CleElum we saw a pair of Evening Grosbeaks, Cassin's Finches and a male
Rufous Hummingbird.

All-in-all, we had a great day (even with the constant wind and scattered
showers). Our total was 82 species of birds.

We also saw several mammals, including a skunk Mary saw), a Pacific Tree
Frog, a several species of butterflies.

Laurinda
LANGLIN at WSDOT.WA.GOV