We got a new computer and have been getting it up and running, so our
report is a little late.

Last week-end we went to "Andy's Oldgrowth" near Ellensburg. Arrived at
the lower part of Robinson Canyon late Sat. afternoon and while checking
out a riparian area, we met Joe Mackie from Bellingham. Our first birds
of the area were LEWIS'S WOODPECKERS and a good look at some BLACK
SWIFTS (lifer). We decided to bird together and worked our way up the
canyon.

About a mile after we were on the dirt road we saw what we believe to be
a NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD. It was in the brush and didn't show its self
real well. It was medium gray, had a mottled eye patch, white wing bars,
long tail with white outer tail feathers. I looked at Joe and said
"Northern Mockingbird" and he said "That is what I thought it was also"

One thing not mentioned in previous posts. Once you start up Ainsley
Canyon road, stay to the left on all the green dot roads. We arrived at
the top of the world where the old growth pine is located and walked the
area.

What a neat area except for the blue paint on the trees. :-(

The only species we didn't see that was mentioned on Andy's post (17
June) was Dusky Flycatcher, Yellow-rumped warbler, and Cassin's finch.
Species seen that were not mentioned on Andy's list were--Mountain
Bluebird, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Poorwill (heard only about 10:00
PM).

We camped out on the top with nothing between us and the heavens. If you
get away from the city lights there are stars up there. Billions and
billions. It was so quiet that the next morning Joe said "I could hear
the stars twinkling".

Sunday--we started back down and in the riparian areas along the road we
saw--MacGILLIVARY'S WARBLER, VEERY and a SOLITARY VIREO. All lifers. We
also saw a PRAIRIE FALCON and one chick that appeared to have not
fledged yet. It was still on the nest (a small ledge on a rock face).

Joe did have a "slight problem" his van decided it didn't want to run
anymore. We have a bag phone (3 watts of power compared to .6 watts on
the small cell phones) and were able to call AAA and have them send out
a tow truck. It was a fuel pump problem.

All in all a very good trip.

Jerry and Sandy Converse
Grand Coulee, WA