I should have mentioned that Natalie and I also had close up looks at
what was likely the same Peregrine Falcon during our visit to the same
area on Sunday morning. I too would be curious about that road being
private property, unless it is claimed as property of the railroad. There
are private property signs on the opposite side of the tracks, however.

--
Rob McNair-Huff <mailto:rob at whiterabbits.com>
White Rabbit Publishing <http://www.whiterabbits.com>
Publisher of Mac Net Journal <http://www.whiterabbits.com/MacNetJournal>
The Equinox Project <http://www.whiterabbits.com/weblog.html>
Co-author of Insiders Guide to the Olympic Peninsula

>My husband and I checked the ponds behind Iowa Beef (Dodd-Iowa Road off
Route
>12 near Wallula) yesterday about 9am. Besides the expected shorebirds (BN
>stilts, avocets, yellowlegs, dowitchers, etc), there were several Red-necked
>and Wilsons Phalaropes. No Snowy Egret nor White-faced Ibis. Our highlight
>there was an adult PEREGRINE FALCON that followed us down the power poles
>along the tracks before flying off over the middle pond.
>
>Our visit there was cut short, however, with a visit from two mosquito
>control men in a blue truck who informed us nicely that we were on private
>property. We were next to the railroad tracks along the gravel road behind
>the ponds. If anyone knows whom we would contact for permission, would you
>please let me know. Those are some great ponds and make a nice stop on our
>way to Walla Walla.
>
>Jan Watson
>Rochester, WA