-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* January 23, 1998
* IDWA981.23

-birds mentioned

Dunlin
Glaucous Gull
Snowy Owl
Western Screech-owl
Northern Pygmy-owl
Long-eared Owl
Merlin
Bewick's Wren
Rock Wren
Harris's Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Common Redpoll
White-winged Crossbill


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon
Date: January 23, 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 second or third winter GLAUCOUS GULL is residing at Swallows
Park along the Snake River on the south edge of Clarkston, Asotin Co.,
WA. The bird was first seen on Sun, Jan 18 by Carole Vande Voorde
and last reported seen on Wed, Jan 21 by Richard Rowlett and also by
Deb Beutler. All three observers also noted another weird gull that
deserves another look. From Clarkston, head south on WA 129 and
turn into the last parking area for the park. Look upriver and check the
mud bar. This is a frequent gull roost. WA DeLorme 43, AB-8.

If you happen to be heading for some skiing at Schweitzer Ski Resort
near Sandpoint, Bonner Co., ID, Charles Swift saw about 30 COMMON
REDPOLLS and 15 or so WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS along the trails
in the cross-country ski area on Mon, Jan 19. ID DeLorme 62, B- 2.

Look for one or two SNOWY OWLS along Road L NE, just a little south
and east of Moses Lake, Grant Co., WA, according to Randy Hill. This
road runs past the Moses Lake Municipal Airport, north of the
interstate. WA DeLorme 69, CD-6.5.

A MERLIN seems to be hunting BOHEMIAN and CEDAR WAXWINGS
along Derby Street in Pullman, Whitman Co., WA, according to Clare
Wiser. Look for the Merlin and 50 Bohemians and 20 Cedars around
the 800 block of Derby. The Merlin likes the big spruce trees. WA
DeLorme 57, C-7.

Four HARRIS'S SPARROWS and 1 WHITE-THROATED SPARROW were
at Madame Doriane (sp?) Park in western Walla Walla Co., WA, on Jan
23, 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 over 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
22 DUNLIN on Jan 23. WA DeLorme 40, D-1.

Five LONG-EARED OWLS were found north of Prescott, Walla Walla
Co., WA by Mike and MerryLynn Denny. If you'd like more
information, call them at 509-529-0080.

Richard Rowlett discovered, or perhaps rediscovered, what a fun drive
Asotin Road west of Asotin, Asotin Co., WA can be. This road follows
Asotin Creek west for about 14 miles. Along the route, Richard
reports a pair of BEWICK'S WREN about 0.3 mile west of the
Cloverland and Asotin Road intersection. WA DeLorme 43, T10N,
R45E, Sec 26 SW. Rocky cliffs all along the route provided 17 or so
ROCK WRENS, and WESTERN SCREECH-OWLS were conspicuously
hooting in late afternoon. At the end of the road at the gate to the
winter game range, Richard spied a NORTHERN PYGMY-OWL. WA
DeLorme 43, T9N, R44E, Sec 9 SE.

A few odds and ends... Near Moscow, ID - Pullman, WA on Jan 22,
Charles Swift saw a small flock of Red-winged Blackbirds and a small
flock of Green-winged Teal. I've seen Red-wings singing on territory
on Jan 24, so I guess the balmy weather is invigorating them.

Julie Miller and Cort birded from St. Maries, Benewah Co., ID north to
I-90 near Coeur d'Alene. Fun birds along the way included Hooded
Mergansers, Bald Eagles, and probably a Horned Grebe. The route
from Plummer to St. Maries and then north to Coeur d'Alene should be
checked for Eurasian Wigeons we seem to be in short supply of them
so far this year.

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

Good birding.