Subject: Tri-colored Blackbird colony east of Soap Lake
Date: Jul 9 08:47:02 1998
From: "Andy Stepniewski" - steppie at wolfenet.com


Tweeters,

After work yesterday (8 July), I went to see the Tricolored Blackbird
colony as reported by Dave Beaudette 5 July east of Soap Lake along Crab
Creek in eastern Grant County. From Soap Lake, go east on State Hwy 28 to
just past milepost 73, turn north on Road 22 NE. Go east 1.9 miles on this
road to a prominent mullein weed on the north side of the road (marked by
orange flagging tape. Drive north 50 yards and park near the edge of the
cliff (T 22N R30 E Sec. 9?), DeLorme p. 69, A8). Walk a few yards to the
cliff edge to an overlook of the cattail-dominated wetland below. It
appeared to me that most of the blackbirds remaining in this marsh were
Tricolored; however I saw Red-winged, Yellow-headed and Brewer's Blackbirds
foraging on the surrounding slopes. I suspect the other species had already
finished breeding and dispersed from the marsh.

Because of sun orientation, viewing is probably best in the morning from
this spot. In afternoon light (when I was there), I found it better to walk
200 yards west on Hwy 28 and then walk north down to the edge of the cliff
to get some backlighting.

Frankly, I had trouble getting positive ids at these birds. I had trouble
getting good looks to begin with. The birds stayed mostly hidden in the
cattails and would leave the dense vegetation and fly to open habitats,
presumably to forage. I did not see what I believed were male Tricoloreds
perch in the open in the marsh to allow a good look. However, I did get
several good views of male bird I believe were Tricoloreds perched on fence
posts above rigid sage/round-headed buckwheat/Sandberg's bluegrass
dominated shrub-steppe, in a habitat they were foraging for small
grasshoppers(?). Female or juvenal-plumaged birds which I also took to be
Tricoloreds outnumbered males probably 5:1.

The cacophany coming from this marsh certainly didn't remind me of
vocalizations coming from a Red-winged Blackbird colony. I don't have much
experience with Tricolored Blackbirds, but believe most of the blackbird
song and calls coming from this cattail marsh were from Tricolored
Blackbirds. I also believe the males I saw were Tricoloreds I also believe
birds I identified as females were too. But, as this is a first state
record and the species has not been accepted on the Washington list, I
want to leave my observations as most probably Tricoloreds. Maybe I just
have a bit of a mental block in identifying these birds or they weren't
cooperative, but it's a bird I guess I'm having a wee bit of difficulty in
calling positively.

Getting good photos of these birds may be a challenge.

The only opportunity I had to determine the size of the colony was when a
harrier flew low over the cattails. It appeared all the males in the
cattails flushed and called aggressively at the harrier, which flew away.
I counted 15+ males at this time. However, many more birds were probably
away from the colony on foraging tri[ps. I did see females bringing food in
their bills and dive into the marsh, so I suppose this indicates young
still in the nest.

The other habitats along the road - basalt cliffs, shrub-steppe, and the
wetlands and lake complex along Crab Creek west of the blackbird colony was
also briefly checked. The following species and numbers were noted:

As cautioned by Dave Beaudette, this is prime rattlesnake habitat. I've
found that by walking slowly in such terrain, you give the snake ample time
to warn you. Pacific Rattlesnakes are usually fairly docile, but if you
surprise one at close range, it may have no recourse other than to strike.
Watch where you place your hands if your clambering around rocks.

I found biting insects to be bothersome (beats me what they were, but they
left itchy welts).

This is a hot time of year in eastern Washington. Between 10 am and 7 pm,
this will be an uncomfortable place to be on an average July day.

The wetlands and lakes about three miles west of the blackbird colony are
filled with birds. I found that by walking to the edge of the cliff and
observing with a scope, I could get reasonable looks of he many shorebirds
below. I did not see any posted property signs, but this area may be all
private land, so it's probably a good idea to get permission if you intend
to cross any fences.

Between 6:30 and 8:30 pm, this is what I observed here:

American White Pelican 75
Double-crested Cormorant-1
Great Blue Heron-15
Black-crowned Night-Heron-10
Canada Goose-25
Mallard-50
teal sp.-5
American Wigeon-2
Red-tailed Hawk-2
Ring-necked Pheasant-2
Virginia Rail-1
American Coot-35, several broods
Killdeer-5
American Avocet-2
Greater Yellowlegs-10
Lesser Yellowlegs-15
Long-billed Dowitcher-5
Wilson's Phalarope-10
Ring-billed Gull-50
California Gull-1, juvenile
Caspian Tern-1
Mourning Dove-3
White-throated Swift-2
Eastern Kingbird-1
Northern Rough-winged Swallow-1
Cliff Swallow-2 (have most finished nesting and departed?)
Barn Swallow-25
Common Raven-5
Rock Wren-5
House Wren-1
Marsh Wren-10
European Starling-10
Lark Sparrow-2
Song Sparrow-2
Red-winged Blackbird-25+
Tricolored Blackbird-30+ (number and positive identification just a touch
indefinite)
Western Meadowlark-5
Yellow-headed Blackbird-10
Brewer's Blackbird-15
House Finch-2

This is a neat area with many birds. The coming weeks will doubtless see
many more shorebirds too. By the way, it looks like primo habitat for
White-faced Ibis. I want to thank Dave Beaudette for making this this
report.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA