Went up the Colombia Gorge, all the way to Balch Lk. Rd. near Lyle.
Several good birds were seen, a Pacific Loon was at the Spring Creek Fish
Hatchery on Hwy. 14, just before entering White Salmon. On County Road
1230, just before Balch Lk. Rd., you can access this road from a turn off
just before Rowland Lake on hwy.14, a pair of Western Bluebirds were in a
field here about 2 miles up the road on the left. Seems late for this
bird?? A flock of Scaup just before the Dog Mt. trailhead on Hwy.14 at
mile post 57, there was the largest flock of scaup I have ever seen, Jim
Flynn and I estimated that both flocks totalled about 1250-1300 birds,
totalling about 2500 scaup, mostly lesser. Also on Balch Lk. itself there
were about 50-60 Wood Ducks. No Acorn Woodpeckers, though plently of
Lewis' probably 30-35.

Scott Downes
sdownes at u.washington.edu
Seattle WA