- RBA

* northern Idaho / eastern Washington / northeastern Oregon
* as above
* December 29, 2000
* IDWA00012.29

- birds mentioned

Yellow-billed Loon
Eurasian Wigeon
Dunlin
Mew Gull
Glaucous Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Snowy Owl
Long-eared Owl
Snow Bunting
Pine Grosbeak
Christmas Bird Count info follows at the end.

- transcript

hotline: northern Idaho / eastern Washington /
northeastern Oregon
Date: December 29, 2000
Phone: (208) 882-6195
Compiler: Kas Dumroese
Transcriber: Charles Swift - charless at moscow.com

This is Kas Dumroese with the Northern Idaho / Eastern Washington /
Northeastern Oregon bird hotline for Friday, Dec 29 (2000).

This is Kas Dumroese with the Northern Idaho / Eastern Washington /
Northeastern Oregon bird hotline for Friday, Dec 29 (2000). This hotline,
sponsored by Palouse Audubon, is updated every Friday evening.

Today on the Walla Walla River Delta in western Walla Walla Co WA, Mike and
MerryLynn Denny discovered an adult LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, 2 ad MEW
GULLS, 1 ad GLAUCOUS GULL, 143 DUNLIN, 2 TUNDRA SWANS, and a "suckleyi"
MERLIN. The Walla Walla River Delta can be accessed from US 12 just north
of the junction of US 12 and US 730. There's a pull-out along US 12 at
milepost 306.9 and a path to the delta. WA DeLorme 40, D-1.

At Two Rivers County Park east of Kennewick, Benton Co WA on Dec 22 were 2
second winter MEW GULLS, an ad MEW GULL, and a single EURASIAN WIGEON
according to Dennis Rockwell. Two Rivers is located along the Columbia
River east of Kennewick. From WA 397 head east on Finley Road 1.5 miles to
the parking area. WA DeLorme 39, C-8.

A YELLOW-BILLED LOON is on Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Wallowa Co OR. It was
first seen on Dec 17, and again on the 20th and 24th according to Craig and
Judy Corder, particularly on the southern end of the lake. Also in the same
area are several flocks of SNOW BUNTINGS. One group is less than 10 miles
east of Enterprise along Zumwalt Road. Another group was east of Joseph on
Little Sheep Creek Hwy near Tucker Down Road. OR DeLorme 87, C-7.5.

A communal roost of LONG-EARED OWLS is persisting and growing near Viola,
Latah Co ID according to Gary and Suzanne Qualman. In the hawthorn in
their yard, they now have about 12 birds. If you've never seen a
Long-eared, this is a great chance. Call Gary or Suzanne at 208.858.2131
for directions. ID DeLorme 58, B-1.

A SNOWY OWL was seen in the usual area east of Moses Lake, Grant Co WA on
Dec 18 by Randy Hill. The bird is probably still in the same area. To get
there, take I-90 exit 179 and go north past the mini-mart etc. 0.2 mile,
then turn right (east) and go 1 mile to road L NE. Turn left (north) onto L
NE and start looking on both sides of the road for the next two miles.
Check the tops of irrigation equipment. The vicinity near Nelson Road seems
best. Take Nelson east 0.5 mile for more opportunities. WA DeLorme 69, CD-6.5.

If skiing at Schweitzer Resort north of Sandpoint, Bonner Co ID is in your
plans, look for the flocks of PINE GROSBEAKS. Stephen Lindsay saw 11 birds
there over the Christmas holiday. ID DeLorme 62, B-2.

Of interest to Palouse birders, Tom and Diane Weber found 3 MARSH WRENS and
a single AMERICAN DIPPER in Pullman WA last weekend.

Christmas Bird Count info:

Idaho:

Jan 4, Spirit Lake, Shirley Sturts, 208.664.5318

Washington:

Dec 31, Two Rivers (western Walla Walla Co), Mike Denny, 509.529.0080
Jan 1, Wenatchee, Dan Stephens, 509.663.5323
Jan 5, Grand Coulee, Sandy Converse, 509.633.0205

If you have any questions about birds on the report, call me before 9 pm at
208.883.0943. If you see any of the birds mentioned in this report, be sure
to let me know.

Good birding,

Kas


=========================
Charles E. Swift
Moscow, Idaho
charless at moscow.com
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