Tweeters,

Sunday December 19 was a beautiful day in south-central Washington for the
Toppenish NWR Christmas Bird Count. It was warm and calm; there was no ice
anywhere in the count area, a very unusual situation for winter in the
Columbia Basin at this date. The count had 25 observers who found a record
93 (plus one "form") species and 25820 individuals. In order of decreasing
abundance were: Mallard (10061), Red-winged Blackbird (3621), Canada Goose
(1467), White-crowned Sparrow (1445), and European Starling (1192).

A flock of 12 Sandhill Cranes soaring over Dry Creek south of Toppenish
Ridge was probably the most surprising bird of the count. The majority of
western North America cranes at this season are in the American southwest
west of the Cascade Mountain-Sierra Nevada crest, with only very small
numbers wintering in mild areas as far north as extreme southwestern
Washington. Sandhill Cranes in winter east of the Cascades are virtually
unheard of. Also new for this count were California Gull and American
Dipper.

Waterfowl of 18 species were concentrated in a few "safe" locations, as the
count was held on a hunting day. Notabe were 120 Tundra Swans, the highest
ever recorded on the Toppenish CBC. It seems evident that all the marsh and
wetland rehabilitation work going on along the Toppenish Creek bottomlands
by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, The Yakama Nation, Ducks Unlimited,
and the National Audubon Society continues to pay big dividends. Also
noteworthy were two Greater White-fronted Geese and a rare Eurasian Wigeon.


Birds of prey were found in about usual numbers; the open country of the
Lower Yakima Valley hosts a diverse and abundant number of hawks, eagles,
and falcons. A total of 14 species of both diurnal and nocturnal species
were counted.

Because flooded fields were not frozen, shorebirds such as Killdeer,
Greater Yellowlegs, Dunlin, and Common Snipe were present in unusual
numbers.

A phenomenal 140 Bushtits, a very local species in eastern Washington, were
tallied in southern parts of the count circle. Other unusual birds there
included: Steller's Jay and 11 Rock Wrens, another all-time high..

All observers noted unusual numbers of Ruby-crowned Kinglets (60). While
not rare in this area in winter, this years total was exceptional, the
previous record being 46 Likewise, a record number of Orange-crowned
Warblers (9) were counted. Perhaps the same mild conditions that allowed so
many kinglets to linger here helped the warbler, too. Surprisingly, only 37
Yellow-rumped Warblers were counted. It seems this species, for the most
part, migrated south out of Washington this fall (or, did not even fly
through the state), as both Bob Boekelheide and I agreed in October.

Sparrow diversity was another highlight with 10 species and one "form"
being noted. These were: Spotted Towhee, American Tree, Savannah, Fox,
Song, Lincoln's, Golden-crowned, White-crowned, and Harris's Sparrow, and
"Slate-colored" Junco and "Oregon" Junco.

Also uncommon, but not unexpected was a lone Yellow-headed Blackbird.

No "winter" finches were found, not even a Pine Siskin. Thus, the flocks of
Common Redpolls, a small finch from the subarctic, wandering about birch
and alder groves in the Pacific Northwest this winter seem to be to the
north of our area (or, perhaps in the mountains).

Many thanks to all who participated in this count and, especially to the 7
observers who travelled far to help.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA

steppie at wolfenet.com