-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* January 9, 1998
* IDWA981.09

-birds mentioned

Oldsquaw
Glaucous Gull
Northern Pygmy-owl
Short-eared Owl
Ferruginous Hawk
Gyrfalcon
Rusty Blackbird
Blue Jay
Harris's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Lapland Longspur


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon
Date: January 9, 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.

Six HARRIS'S SPARROWS and 2 WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS were
at Madame Doriane (sp?) Park in western Walla Walla Co., WA, on
January 4, according to Mike and MerryLynn Denny. The park is just
north of the junction of US 12 and US 730, at about US 12 milepost
307. Both species have been seen with consistency for almost two
months the Harris's numbers fluctuating from 1-6. Look for the
sparrows along the little dirt road, which is just beyond the bathrooms,
and runs west along the Walla Walla River.

Just across the road at the Walla Walla River delta, the Denny's report
a single OLDSQUAW on January 4 and a single adult GLAUCOUS
GULL on January 9. About three miles north of the US 12 / US 730
junction is the Iowa Dodd Beef Road. On January 4, a GLAUCOUS
GULL was on the poop piles here, and on January 9, was a RUSTY
BLACKBIRD and 6 YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRDS. Further east on
Iowa Dodd Beef Road on January 4, a FERRUGINOUS HAWK was near
the end of the concrete highway, and about 9 miles east of US 12
along this road was a single LAPLAND LONGSPUR in a flock of Horned
Larks. WA DeLorme 40, D-1.

Two OLDSQUAW were along US 12 in Burbank Slough at McNary
NWR headquarters, near Burbank, Walla Walla Co. WA, January 9
according to Mike and MerryLynn. Also there was a single VIRGINIA
RAIL. A dark-phased GYRFALCON was seen on the edge of McNary
NWR headquarters this past week by Warren Hall. The bird was about
50 yards west of US 12 and heading toward WA 124. WA DeLorme
40, C-1.

A SHORT-EARED OWL was seen just north of Genesee, Latah Co., ID
on January 9 by Charles Swift. The bird was along Rosenau Road,
about 1.5 miles east of Old Highway 95, about 1.5 miles north of
Genesee. I believe this is the same general area where a flock of 30
birds were seen last winter. ID DeLorme 58, C-1. In the same general
area, Charles reports a flock of 12 WESTERN MEADOWLARKS along
the Genesee-Juliaetta Road, a couple miles east of Genesee.

BLUE JAYS are still in and around Moscow, Latah Co., ID. Look for
one in the University Heights area of southwest Moscow, bounded by
US 95, Palouse River Drive, Taylor Street, and the UI Golf Course.
Look especially around Chinook. Three to five jays are
persisting at the base of Moscow Mt. north of Moscow, continuing to
visit the feeder of Tom Besser. Give Tom a call at 208-882-6254 for
directions.

A NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL is appearing almost daily near Robinson
Park, just northeast of Moscow, Latah Co., ID. This bird has been very
reliable just east of the park since, well, almost forever. Dave Holick
reports seeing it on his morning and evening commutes. Look
especially in mid afternoon. From the intersection of Mountain View
and Joseph on the east edge of Moscow, head east on Joseph,
following the signs for Robinson Park. Joseph becomes Robinson Park
Road as you leave Moscow. Follow the main road and the park signs
about 3 miles to the park. Turn right on the road that bisects the park,
and just past the garbage dumpster, look for the owl on utility wires
for the next half mile or so. ID DeLorme 58, BC-1. If you need any
information about the sightings, give me a call at 208-883-0943.

Good birding.