-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* February 27, 1998
* IDWA9802.27

-birds mentioned

Ross's Goose
Snow Goose
Barred Owl
White-winged Crossbill
Blue Jay
American Tree Sparrow


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon
Date: February 27, 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.

At least two ROSS'S GEESE were in a flock of 300 SNOW GEESE on
the Umatilla NWR, Whitcom Island Unit in southwestern Benton Co.,
WA on Feb 21. Craig Corder and Judy Stevens report the flock feeds
on the island until about 10 am, then fly south to the Columbia River.
Take WA 14 to the entrance to the island. To get down to the river
once on the island, take the first right and the next left toward a
pumping station. Check at the pump for a couple of AMERICAN TREE
SPARROWS. WA DeLorme 28, B-2.5.

WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILLS were conspicuous on the east side of
Payette Lake, Valley Co., Idaho on Feb 12, according to Jonathan
Barnett. From McCall, follow the signs toward Ponderosa State Park.
Jonathan saw the birds near Camp Ida-haven. ID DeLorme 43, A-4.

A BARRED OWL was at Laird Park in northern Latah Co., ID on Feb 22
according to Charles Swift. Follow ID 6 north and east from Potlatch,
through Princeton and Harvard. Just north of Harvard, turn right at the
well-marked road to the park. Laird Park, a Forest Service
campground, is about a mile up the road. The CG is closed, but you
may walk in. Also there was a singing AMERICAN DIPPER along the
Palouse River and a nice flock of EVENING GROSBEAKS. ID DeLorme
58, AB-2.

Charles also reports two KILLDEER in Moscow, Latah Co., Idaho this
past week, a little early for returning to the Palouse.

BLUE JAYS are still in and around Moscow, Latah Co., Idaho. Dave
Wenny reports one this past week near the UI Arboretum in southwest
Moscow. This bird has been around all winter. Look for it west of US
95, south of Taylor, north of Palouse River Drive, and east of the
arboretum, especially around Borah, Ridge, and Chinook. Tom Besser
still has 3 to 5 BLUE JAYS visiting his feeder at the base of Moscow
Mountain, just north of Moscow. Give him a call if you want to go a-
looking: 208-882-6254.

Another BLUE JAY has persisted all winter in Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai
Co., Idaho, according to Bill Gundlach and Shirley Sturts. Look for the
bird between Sherman Avenue and Sander's Beach. Sorry I don't have
more detailed directions.

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

Good birding.