Tweeters,

Denny Granstrand and I visited several Lower Columbia Basin sites on March
10 and saw some unusual birds.

Big Flat HMU. In contrast to a month ago when hundreds sparrows were
observed, seemingly everywhere here, including American Tree and Harris's,
today Denny and I encountered virtually no Zonotrichia!

Juniper Dunes Wilderness. We took a short hike south into this amazing place
and immediately noted AMERICAN TREE SPARROWS, seemingly everywhere! We
estimated 10+ scattered in the tall Big Sagebrush that line the sandy
ravines. In the sky overhead were a pair of FERRUGINOUS HAWKS. Otherwise, we
noted a few Common Ravens, and singing Horned Lark and Western Meadowlark.
The famous spring wildflower display was not yet in evidence.

Wallula "Poop Piles" on US-12. There were 6 species of gulls here:
Ring-billed, California, Herring, Glaucous-winged, Western, and Mew (1
only). In the hordes of perhaps 3,000 blackbirds (Red-winged,
Yellow-headed-a few, and Brewer's, there were at least 2, possibly 3 RUSTY
BLACKBIRDS, at this time in a pretty distinctive, though transitional
plumage. The rusty cap was certainly a distinctive feature on these
female-plumaged birds (I assumed), the overall paleness of the head and
breast also conspicuous. Rusty feather edgings were also noted, though this
was less prominent than on birds I've seen here in late fall and midwinter.

Richland. We easily found the NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD in a new "California"
style subdivision with only limited ornamental plantings, in a habitat type
I've found unusual for this species in the Pacific Northwest. Might have
been this bird really is a California transplant and knows how to eke out a
living in a classic ornamental garden. The bird is in the Country Ridge
Estates off Keene Road in south Richland. From I-182/US 12 exit 5-A at
Richland, travel southeast 1.2 miles on WA 240 and exit to Columbia Park
Trail. Turn right and travel west on Columbia Park Trail about 2.7 miles to
intersection with Kennedy Road. Turn left and travel south about 0.2 mile to
intersection with Keene Road. Turn right and travel northwest about 0.5 mile
to Country Ridge Estates located on southwest side of the road. Turn left
onto Country Ridge
Drive. Country Ridge Drive is the main street into this rather new
subdivision. Dennis [Rockwell] was told the bird prefers the back yard at
number 1205 near the top of the hill and that some folks have had to play a
tape and show some patience to see it. WA DeLorme page 39, C-6.

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA
steppie at nwinfo.net