-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* December 18, 1998
* IDWA9812.18

-birds mentioned

Black-crowned Night-Heron
Oldsquaw
Mew Gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
Merlin
Snowy Owl
Barn Owl
Blue Jay
Purple Finch
Rose-breasted Grosbeak

-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
Date: December 18, 1998 Phone: (208) 882-6195
Compiler: Kas Dumroese Transcriber: Dale Goble
gobled at uidaho.edu


This is Kas Dumroese with the northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon bird hotline.

A first-winter male ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK was in College Place, near
Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, Washington from December 9 until it
was eaten by a Sharp-shinned Hawk on December 12, according to Mike
and MerryLynn Denny. The bird, probably the first winter record for
the state, was a regular at a feeder and had been photographed. Jim
Nestler reports the burping Sharpie was last seen heading north.

The adult male PURPLE FINCH, residing on Bateman Island near Richland,
Benton County Washington since Oct 31 was still seen through December
13 by Craig Corder and Judy Stevens. From Washington 240, take the
Columbia Drive exit, go to the right and find Wye Park. Walk across
the causeway and continue in the same northerly direction. After 100
steps there's a garbage can, after 100 more there's a fork in the
trail you ignore, and another 400 steps brings you to some feeders on
the right in the trees. Bring some seed for the feeders. Washington
DeLorme 39, C-6.

A MERLIN was reported from Kennewick, Benton County, Washington near
Edison Street at 4th and Grant on December 12, according to Craig
Corder and Judy Stevens. The bird was apparently hunting RED
CROSSBILLS, an unusual species for the Tri-Cities. Another MERLIN,
suckleyi race, was just east of Moscow, Latah County, Idaho this past
week. Mike Denny and I saw the bird on Tues December 15 and I saw it
again on December 16. The bird was at the University of Idaho Plant
Science Farm, which is 1 mile east of Moscow along Idaho 8. Turn left
at Lenville Road, then take the first left. Travel past the
greenhouses to the ornamental plantings.

A female, winter plumaged OLDSQUAW was on Barker Canyon Lake near
Grand Coulee, Grant County, Washington on December 13 according to
Jerry and Sandy Converse. Call them for directions -- 509-633-0205.

A single BLUE JAY was at the feeder of Dale Goble in Moscow, Latah
County, Idaho on December 13. Look for it around Homestead, Public,
and F Streets. Another BLUE JAY is in Walla Walla Co, Washington.
Mike and MerryLynn report a single bird just east of Walla Walla.
It's coming to a feeder at the Allen's, who live 2.5 miles east of the
jct of Blue Creek and Mill Creek Roads, along Mill Creek.

A SNOWY OWL has been reported from Moses Lake, Grant Co, Washington.
Randy Hill says Ron Friesz found a single bird in their usual haunt
just east of Moses Lake near Road L NE and Nelson Road. Washington
DeLorme 69, CD-7.

A first-year BLACK-LEGGED KITTIWAKE was reported from Oxbow, Oregon on
Hells Canyon Reservoir by Aaron Utz on December 12. The bird was last
seen flying north. It looks to me like this is Baker County Oregon
and Adams County Idaho. Oregon DeLorme 88, D-1 right at the bottom
and the insert on the right at the top, and Idaho DeLorme 42, A-1.

Two BARN OWLS and a "HARLEN'S" RED-TAILED HAWK were at Fishhook Park,
Walla Walla Co, Washington on the Snake River above Ice Harbor Dam on
December 14, according to Dennis Rockwell. You can access the park
off Washington 124. Washington DeLorme 40, B-2.

Two BARN OWLS are still roosting on the Administration Building on the
University of Idaho campus in Moscow, Latah County, Idaho according to
Charles Swift.

Three BARN OWLS were 2 miles north of Central Ferry, Whitman County
Washington, along Washington 127 on December 15, according to Mike
Denny. Washington DeLorme 56, D-2.

A single MEW GULL was at the Kennewick, Benton Co, Washington sewage
ponds on December 13 according to Craig Corder. The sewage ponds are
near the railroad bridge over the Columbia River, and just above the
word Kennewick on Washington DeLorme 39, C-8.

Two BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERONS were in Lewiston, Nez Perce County,
Idaho on December 12 according to Tom and Diane Weber. The birds were
in the levee pond along the US 12 bypass around downtown Lewiston,
near the bypass' intersection with Snake River Drive. Idaho DeLorme
54, A-1.

A communal roost of at least 8 LONG-EARED OWLS was found by Mike Denny
and myself this past week near Moscow.

The Lower Columbia Basin Audubon has scheduled their 1999 field trips.
The first is January 16. Contact <denniskrockwell at juno.com> for more
info.

If you need any information about the sightings, give me a call at
208-883-0943.

Good birding