Birders,

We birded northern Benton County Sat Mar 7. Best find was a
PACIFIC LOON on the Columbia River about 3 miles below (east)
Priest Rapids Dam, DeLorme p52 D1. It was just east of the Yakima
county line & on the Benton County side of the river. (We
had to scope from the Grant Co side as the road on the
Benton Co side has been gated for the first time ever!) Otherwise the
river had few birds. There were at least six BARROW'S GOLDENEYE
& a few COMMON GOLDENEYE.

We found a LONG-EARED OWL pair with one on a nest. I'll be vague
for now until the eggs hatch. (I know you *!& egg collectors are lurking!
Better hope I don't catch you!!!)

Otherwise we heard a lone SAY'S PHOEBE call in two locations, but
could not rule out Starlings as the source. Saw six CHUCKARS along
the river cliffs. They were very vocal.

We relocated a SAGE SPARROW along hwy 240 between mp 6 & 7.
(Thanks Patrick!)

Also on hwy 240, we saw an amazing herd of 27 mature bull Elk.
Definitely the largest racks I've seen in Washington or Oregon. They
are in ALE which is a no hunting area. Good!

We tried briefly to relocated the Red-shouldered Hawk at West
Richland, but didn't happen to see it. We looked harder for the
Bohemian Waxwings on Grosscup Road that Patrick found March 1,
but no luck. (That was an amazing trip you made Patrick!)

For you butterfly people, we saw two Western White Checkers (early?).

Misses for the day were Sandhill Cranes, Swans, & Swallows (don't
think anybody has seen swallows yet).

Nice day. Good Birding,
Craig

Craig Corder
Judy Stevens
Hermiston
Umatilla County in North-eastern/central Oregon
USA