On May 3, 1997, I saw my first Western Kingbird of the year at
Irrigon, Morrow Co., Oregon. I have just started birding in this area but I
assume that this is bird is a common breeder in that area. There was a
Western Kingbird in the same field the next day. Due to a nasty spring
cold, I had to cancel my plans to bird the Umatilla NWR area nearby.
Several Western Kingbirds were also observed in Umatilla County,
Oregon, and Franklin County, Washington.
There have been two reports of Lazuli Buntings arriving in Whitman
County. My husband saw one in our yard April 28, 1997, and a student in my
ornithology lab class reported one coming to her feeder this morning.
The Evening Grosbeaks also appear to be moving through the Palouse
on their way north.

Spring is finally arriving to the Palouse

Cheers
Deb Beutler
Washington State Univerisity
Pullman, Whitman Co., WA
dbeutler at wsunix.wsu.edu