Subject: Yakima Training Center - 10 November
Date: Nov 11 21:44:38 1996
From: steppie at wolfenet.com - steppie at wolfenet.com
Ken Knittle, his father-in-law Bud Updegrave and myself had another
wonderful day on the high grasslands, riparian and basalt ridges southwest
of Priest Rapids Dam on the Yakima Training Center.
Passerine migration has virtually ceased it seems. We detected a handful of
flyover Varied Thrushes, Lapland Longspurs, Snow Buntings, siskins, and
goldfinches.
Raptors were again conspicuous and numerous, including owls. Checks of
roosting areas where Ike Eisenhart had such great luck 2 weeks ago were
again fruitful for Long-eared Owls. A dusk drive along Cold Springs Road was
as productive for Short-eared Owls.
Highlights included an inspiring and close study through the scope of an
immature N. Goshawk perched atop Umtanum Ridge, which zoomed in after a
large covey of Chukar were seen (by us and obviously by the gos). As
impressive were close views of adult Golden Eagles, many Rough-legged Hawks
and 3 Prairie Falcons.
Without question in my opinion, the observation of greatest interest were 2
separate flocks of Snow Buntings: one with 12 birds flying south at the Cold
Creek Divide and another of 53 birds swirling about and settling to forage
(presumably) on the high, recently burned slopes on the north flank of
Umtanum Ridge just east of Hog Ranch Buttes. These are the greatest numbers
of Snow Buntings ever recorded in Yakima County. I wonder if this encounter
was unusual, or, if there just hasn't been anyone to witness this movement
of Snow Buntings into south-central Washington in prior years.
Also notable was a lone Am. Tree Sparrow in riparian growth on Cold Creek
east of the Cold Creek Divide and another group of 5 birds in weedy growth
at "Taylor Pond" west of the divide.
With each weekly visit at this late date in the fall, I expect a
disappointing day...but it hasn't happened! Not only are there plenty of
birds, but mammals too: for example today yielded 10 mule deer, 3
porcupines, least chipmunks, black-tailed jackrabbits, coyotes and scads of
voles (presumably Microtus montanus), fodder for the myriad of raptors which
swarm over the higher threetip sagelands and grasslands on these ridges.
The tally:
Mallard-6
Northern Harrier-14
Northern Goshawk-1
Red-tailed Hawk-8
Rough-legged Hawk-17
Golden Eagle-3 adult plumage
American Kestrel-4
Prairie Falcon-3
Gray Partridge-12
Chukar-30
Sage Grouse-2
California Quail-15
Great Horned Owl-7
Long-eared Owl-14
Short-eared Owl-8
Northern (Red-shafted) Flicker-7
Horned Lark-7
Black-billed Magpie-13
Common Raven-8
Golden-crowned Kinglet-3
Ruby-crowned Kinglet-2
Hermit Thrush-1
American Robin-6
Varied Thrush-7
Northern Shrike-5
European Starling-10
Spotted Towhee-1
American Tree Sparrow-6
Song Sparrow-4
Dark-eyed (Slate-colored) Junco-1
Dark-eyed (Oregon) Junco-54
Lapland Longspur-1
Snow Bunting-67
House Finch-5
Pine Siskin-9
American Goldfinch-8
Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA