Hi All, Jacque and I traveled to Hardy Canyon to have a try for the
Gnatcatcher. We arrived about 5pm Tuesday May 28, 2002. It was
raining and dreary as we left the car. As we arrived at the site the
bird life seemed empty. As the shower let up birds began to move
about. We were ready to give up when just before 6pm the Gnatcatcher
popped up in a small leafy bush. near the pile of rocks. After a
couple of min. it flew about a 100 yards and began foraging in
another leafy tree. At no time did it go into the sage brush type
bushes, nor did it appear to be gathering nesting material. We only
saw a male. In the about 20 min we viewed the bird it only vocalized
one short burst. The rest of the time it was silent.
Also stopped to check on the Common Grackle but no luck, it was
getting late. While looking for the grackle a Belted Kingfisher
dove into the farm pond and came up with a large { about 5 inch}
goldfish that he took to a fence and began to beat it on the fence
post, not sure it wasn't too big for the bird to swallow.
Larry and Jacque Goodhew Walla Walla