Hi tweets,

Last Thurs.--Sun., my companion Beki Treat and I took a four day trip (600+
miles) from Bellingham down I-5 to Ridgefield NWR, east into the Columbia
River Gorge, up into Klickitat County, Conboy Lake NWR, Goldendale, Rock
Creek area, Toppenish NWR, Yakima River Canyon, Wenas Creek, Umtanum Road,
and home via I-90. Spring on the east side is just getting under way, quite
tentative in some locations, but definitely on the verge of exploding. We
had 72 species overall, with a special focus on raptors (10 species/ 92
individuals) and early spring migrants.

Highlights included 2 Golden Eagles and 3 Prairie Falcons in Yakima Canyon.
We watched a mated pair of Prairies hunting from the basalt cliffs along
the river, with a food exchange between the tiercel and the falcon. As they
arrived with the fresh kill (Say's Phoebe) at the mouth of a small cave, we
could hear the squealing of eyeasses inside the eyerie. As they entered,
things went quickly silent. Within a minute the two exited and resumed
soaring on thermals above the cliff line. We were surprised at this
apparent early hatching date. Feedback anyone? We had another Prairie just
up Umtanum Creek from the Yakima.

We had a total of 50 Redtail Hawks, most paired up, soaring, and in
courtship display (extended talons). Does anyone have any insight re: this
behavior? About ten were sitting on nests.

Tried to find the Tufted Duck at Bingen, but like Ruth Sullivan, we only
found 7 Lesser Scaup. However, we did find the exotic Ruddy Shelduck (an
escapee?) at Stevenson (easy pickings, thanks to Wilson Cady). Also, above
Locke Lake we picked up a couple of migrating Sharpies as they made a
beeline across the Gorge on a sunny, southerly wind, temperature about 65
degrees. Had our first look at a Lesser Goldfinch in the same area. Quite
a concentration of Lewis' Woodpeckers above Rowland Lake. We had a small
flock (6) of Wild Turkeys along the Klickitat River at a boat launch
campground (DeLorme, p. 25, A7-A8).

In addition, lots of bluebirds. We had several close looks in the same
field of view at Western and Mountain Bluebirds along Umtanum Rd. (DeLorme,
p. 50, A3). Each time I see the intense color of these birds in alternate
plumage it's as though I'm seeing it for the first time--a "take your
breath away" experience each year. By the way, we tried to get into Wenas
campground. The creek was over banks, flowing down the road. We
successfully forded the creek with some apprehension but had to turn back
after almost getting high-centered in very serious mud ruts. Our front
wheel drive van was beyond its limits. We'd already had to replace a tire
we busted in Rock Creek Canyon and patch a punctured gas tank in Toppenish.
Hope that section of Wenas Rd. (first half mile after the creek) gets some
attention before Memorial Day.

All in all, a great adventure in a short spell of spectacular weather with
glorious views of all the mountains, especially St. Helen's, Adams, and
Hood. Can't wait for May migrants!

Joe Mackie
Bellingham
jmackie at cc.wwu.edu