Birded Big Flat HMU this morning (See Washington DeLorme page 41, B-2 - it's
the area at the end of Herman Rd. east of the old Burlington Northern
right-of-way in a big bend of the Snake River - about 600 acres) found 8
AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS with a mixed flock of WHITE-CROWNED SPARROWS and
DARK-EYED JUNCOS just across the causeway and up the first hill from the
parking area. Other birds of note there included a pair of GREAT HORNED
OWLS, an immature NORTHERN SHRIKE and a couple of MERLIN. In one patch of
red millet that was still standing - maybe 3/4 of an acre in size - there
must have been over a hundred SONG SPARROWS! I've never seen them collect
in a flock like that before.
Returning home through Pasco I stopped for a train at the crossing at 4th &
Ainsworth. The flock of HOUSE SPARROWS that stay in the little patch of
weeds on the east side of tracks contains a female with mostly white wings
and tail.

Dennis Rockwell Kennewick, WA dennis.rockwell at gte.net