-RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* January 29, 1999
* IDWA9901.29

-birds mentioned

Eurasian Wigeon
Greater White-fronted Goose
Long-eared Owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
Barn Owl
Glaucous Gull
Blue Jay
Swamp Sparrow
Harris's Sparrow
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch


-transcript

HOTLINE: northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
Date: January 29, 1999 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.

An Oregon SWAMP SPARROW was found January 19 in McNary Park below
McNary Dam, near Umatilla, Umatilla County, Oregon by Mike and
MerryLynn Denny. Look for the bird along the trail near walking post
#7. Check either WA DeLorme 29, A-6 or OR DeLorme 85, A-7.

An Idaho SWAMP SPARROW was found January 18 near Kamiah, Idaho County,
Idaho along the Clearwater River in the Heart of the Monster area of
the Nez Perce National Historic Park. Charles Swift found the bird in
the brushy, back water slough just opposite the parking area. ID
DeLorme 55, B-4. Two SWAMP SPARROWS were reported in the marshy area
just east of the Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho sewage treatment
plant on January 24 by Harold Ward.

In Lewiston, Nez Perce County, Idaho this past week were many of the
same good birds reported the past month. The LONG-EARED OWL, NORTHERN
SAW-WHET OWL, and BARN OWLS are still in Hell's Gate SP. Look for the
owls in the evergreens around the picnic / beach area, especially in
the area around the play equipment. The HARRIS'S SPARROW was still
near the settling pond where they send the dredged material from the
marina. Look around the very north and west side of the northern most
settling pond for the sparrow.

The drake EURASIAN WIGEON first seen Sat January 9 in the same general
area by Carole Vande Voorde is still present, but last Sat it had
moved from Kiwanis Park to a small pond on the golf course by the
airport. To get to Hell's Gate and Kiwanis from the north end of
Lewiston, follow US 12 across the Clearwater River and then stay right
past the first traffic light. At the next light, which is 18th
Street, turn right and follow the bypass until it ends at Snake River
Avenue. Turn right onto Snake River. The first parking area on the
right is Kiwanis Park. Continue south on Snake River Avenue to Hell's
Gate SP entrance. ID DeLorme 54, A-1.

To get there, just north of the US 12 bridge over the Clearwater
River, turn west on 3rd Avenue North and follow it west past the grain
terminals. Wind your way through the shipping yard heading north and
west to the treatment plant. See A Birder's Guide to Idaho p. 85.

In nearby Clarkston, Asotin County, Washington on January 24, at Chief
Timothy State Park, which is just west of Clarkston, Cindy McCormack
reports 14 BARN OWLS and a GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. WA DeLorme
43, A-7.

What appears to be a GLAUCOUS GULL was seen on Banks Lake near Grand
Coulee, Grant County, Washington on Tues January 26 by Jerry and Sandy
Converse. The bird was with Herring Gulls. They would love to have
someone else see it. WA DeLorme 85, A-8.

A NORTHERN SAW-WHET OWL is spending the winter in the yard of Andy
Stepniewski in Wapato, Yakima County, Washington, about 10 miles south
of Yakima off I-82. If you'd like to see it, call Andy at home at
509-877-6639 <steppie at wolfenet.com).

A flock of 300+ GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCHES were near the intersection
of Ayer Road and Washington 124 in Walla Walla County, Washington on
January 17, according to Allister Stewart (sp?). Washington 124 runs
between Waitsburg and Pasco, and Ayer Road intersects about 8 miles
west of Prescott. WA DeLorme 41, B on the crease.

Two BLUE JAYS are residing in southwestern College Place, Walla Walla
County, Washington according to Mike and MerryLynn Denny. The birds
are at the south end of Davis Street. If you need directions, call
Mike at 509-529-0080. WA DeLorme 41, D-5.

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